Synthesis and cytotoxic activity of new heterocyclic analogues of resveratrol, containing benzoxazolone ring

New heterocycle analogues of resveratrol were designed and synthesized as potential anticancer agents. The compounds contain 3,5-dimethoxy-or 3,5-dihydroxystyryl fragment attached to the C5 or C6 position of a benzoxazolone ring. The compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines (HL60, MGF-7 and MDA-MB-321) and some of them were found to exhibit significant antiproliferative effect. Generally, the obtained 5-styrylbenzoxazolones were more active in compare to the corresponding 6-styrylbenzoxazolone positional isomers.