Synthesis of novel, azasugar-modified anthraquinone derivatives and their cytotoxicity

Abstract A series of novel, azasugar-modified 2-monosubstituted, 2,6- and 2,7-bissubstituted anthraquinone derivatives have been synthesized by the nucleophilic substitution of N -alkylamino azasugar with mono-, bis(2-chloroacetamido)anthraquinones. Their cytotoxic activities against HeLa and MCF-7 cells were preliminarily evaluated and compound 9a with mono-azasugar pendant at 2-position showed similar activity to the control drug (Cisplatin).