Title:Synthesis of S-2-phenylchromane Derivatives and Evaluation of the Antiproliferative
Properties as Apoptosis Inducers in Cancer Cell Lines
Volume: 23
Issue: 16
Author(s): Yunfeng Zhang, Jiale Ma, Yujie Pei, Zeyuan Xie, Dong-Jun Fu*Jun Li*
Affiliation:
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,
Beijing, 100029, P.R. China
- Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese
Medicine, Beijing, 100029, P.R. China
Keywords:
S-2-phenylchromane, tertiary amide, triazole, anticancer agents, A549 adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal cells, compound E2, apoptosis.
Abstract:
Background: Cancer remains one of the major health issues globally, where chemotherapy forms the main
treatment mode for different types of cancers. Due to cancer cell ability to develop resistance, decreased clinical effectiveness
of anticancer drugs can occur. Therefore, the need to synthesize novel antitumor drugs remains important.
Objective: The aim of our work consisted of synthesizing S-2-phenylchromane derivatives containing the tertiary amide
or 1,2,3-triazole fragments with promising anticancer activity.
Methods: A series of S-2-phenylchromane derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against
three selected cancer cell lines (HGC-27 human gastric carcinoma cell line, Huh-7 epithelial-like tumorigenic cells,
and A549 adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells) using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-
diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Hoechst staining was used to detect the effects of S-2-phenylchromane
derivatives on apoptosis. The apoptosis percentages were detected by annexin V-fluoresceine isothiocyanate/propidium
iodide (Annexin V-FITC/PI) double staining assay with flow cytometry. Expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins
were detected by western blot.
Results: Cell line A549, consisting of adenocarcinomic human alveolar basal epithelial cells, displayed the highest
sensitivity to the S-2-phenylchromane derivatives. Among these compounds, E2 showed the most potent antiproliferative
activity against A549 cells with an IC50 value of 5.60 μM. Hoechst staining and flow cytometry analysis revealed
apoptosis in A549 cells by compound E2. In addition, activation of the expression levels of caspase-3, caspase-7, and
their substrate poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) by E2 was detected by western blot.
Conclusion: In summary, results point towards compound E2, an S-2-phenylchromane derivative, as a potential lead
molecule in anticancer agents for human adenocarcinomic alveolar basal cells based on the induction of apoptosis.