Synthesis of (E)-5-methoxy-2-styryl-4-pyrones as potent growth-inhibitory agents against hepatocellular carcinoma cells

The present study a series of (E)-5-methoxy-2-styryl-4H-pyran-4-ones 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j was synthesized and evaluated for growth inhibitory inhibition against carcinoma cells. The growth inhibition study of eight carcinoma cell lines was examined and demonstrated that SKHep cells exhibit significant structure-activity relationship in response to the tested compounds. Among them, 6f showed the most potent activity against SKHep, A549, AGS, and H460 cell lines with GI50 values of 0.17, 8.3, 3.6, 8.0 μM, respectively.