Structure-activity relationship study of growth inhibitory 2-styrylchromones against carcinoma cells

The structure-activity relationship study of 2-styrylchromones against carcinoma cell growth is discussed in the present report. Taking advantage of 2-styrylchromone as a molecular template, a series of structural modifications was carried out and examined on several carcinoma cell lines. Interestingly, AGS cells exhibited more sensitivity in response to methoxy-bearing compounds, of which compound 23 (3,4,5-trimethoxy group on ring B) showed the most potent activity with a GI(50) value of 1.3 mu M. Surprisingly, as methoxy groups in 12 and 24-27 were demethylated to generate their hydroxyl counterparts 28-32, none of them displayed appreciable activity against all carcinoma cells. We further confirmed the pivotal role of rigidity for growth inhibitory activity between the rigid 12 and its flexible counterpart 33. Taken together, in the present report, we have clearly demonstrated the structure-activity relationship study of 2-styrylchromones targeting carcinoma cell growth.