The synthesis and antiproliferative effect of a novel curcumin analog, 4,4'-disulfonyldiarylidenyl piperidone, are reported. The design of the molecule is based on the fusion of an antiproliferative segment, namely diarylidenyl piperidone (DAP), with N-hyroxypyrroline, which is known to metabolically convert to nitroxide and protect healthy cells. Cellular uptake, metabolic conversion, cytotoxicity and antiproliferative effect of the DAP derivative against HCT-116 human colon cancer cells have been determined. Based on cell viability and proliferation assays as well as western-blot analysis of major transcription factors and inhibitory proteins, it is determined that the DAP compound is cytotoxic by inhibiting cell survival and proliferation pathways. The findings may have important implications in the design and development of effective anticancer agents.
Keywords: Colon cancer; Disulfonyldiarylidenyl piperidone; Nitroxide; Rreactive oxygen species.