Synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity of 2-methyl-9-substituted acridines

In the field of antitumor DNA-intercalating agents, 9-anilinoacridines play an important role due to their antiproliferative properties. Several cancer chemotherapeutics such as amascrine and nitracrine have been developed as anticancer agents. In the present study, several 2-methyl-9 substituted (AS 0-8) acridines were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of 2-methyl-9-chloro-acridine (AS) with aromatic amines. The structures of novel compounds were determined using spectroscopic methods. Three compounds were evaluated for antiproliferative activity against A-549 (Human, small cell lung carcinoma) and MCF-7 (Human, breast cancer) cell lines using the MTT assay. Compound AS-2 showed higher in vitro cytotoxic activity against A-549 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines with CTC50 187.5 and 212.5 mu g/ml respectively. The cancer cell cytotoxicity of acridines against A-549 cell line was found to be more active than MCF-7 cell line. (C) 2013 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.