Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of novel hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole imidazolium salts

A series of novel hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole-1H-imidazolium salts were synthesized and evaluated in vitro against a panel of human tumor cell lines. The results suggest that the 5,6-dimethyl-benzimidazole ring, and substitution of the imidazolyl-3-position with a 2-bromobenzyl or 2-naphthylmethyl group, were important for the cytotoxic activity. Notably, Compound 43, bearing a 2-bromobenzyl substituent at position-3 of 5,6-dimethyl-benzimidazole, was found to possess the most potent derivative against five human tumor cell lines with IC50 values below 2.68 mu M and more selective towards SMMC-7721, A549 and SW480 cell lines. Compounds 25 and 39 were more selective to HL-60 and MCF-7 cell lines with IC50 values of 0.47 and 1.46 mu M. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Ltd.