Novel lycorine derivatives as anticancer agents: synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation

Molecules. 2014 Feb 21;19(2):2469-80. doi: 10.3390/molecules19022469.

Abstract

Lycorine, which is the most abundant alkaloid isolated from the Amaryllidaceae family of plants, reportedly exhibits promising anticancer activities. Herein, a series of novel lycorine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro inhibitory activities against seven different cancer cell lines, including A549, HCT116, SK-OV-3, NCI-H460, K562, MCF-7 and HL-60. The results indicated that compounds bearing diverse amine substituents at the C-2 position demonstrated good anticancer activities. The selectivity towards different cancer cell lines of the synthesized derivatives is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids / administration & dosage*
  • Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids / chemical synthesis*
  • Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • HCT116 Cells
  • Humans
  • Liliaceae / chemistry
  • Phenanthridines / administration & dosage*
  • Phenanthridines / chemical synthesis*
  • Phenanthridines / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Phenanthridines
  • Plant Extracts
  • lycorine