Synthesis of rocaglamide derivatives and evaluation of their Wnt signal inhibitory activities

Rocaglamides are bioactive natural compounds which have a cyclopenta[b]benzofuran core structure. The total synthesis of a reported natural product, 3′-hydroxymethylrocaglate (5), was achieved using [3 + 2] cycloaddition between 3-hydroxyflavone and methyl cinnamate. We also describe the synthesis of rocaglamide heterocycle derivatives and evaluate their Wnt signal inhibitory activities. Compounds 4, 5, 22a, 22b, 22c and 23c showed potent Wnt signal inhibitory activity.