Synthesis, chemical characterization of novel 1,3-dimethyl acridones as cytotoxic agents, and their DNA-binding studies

A series of new 1,3-dimethyl acridone derivatives were synthesized with different alkyl side chain (propyl and butyl) substitution at N10-position and highly basic amine groups at terminal end of alkyl side chain. All the synthesized molecules were screened for their cytotoxic activity against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cell lines. DNA binding constants (Ki) of selected compounds were determined with calf-thymus DNA. Results showed that the molecules 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 exhibited good cytotoxic activity with IC50 value <10 μM. Compound 14 having (β-hydroxyethyl) piperazine butyl side chain exhibited potent cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cell line and DNA-intercalating properties. Examination of the relationship between lipophilicity and acridone derivatives showed poor correlation.