Synthesis and biological evaluation of new rhodanine analogues bearing 2-chloroquinoline and benzo[h]quinoline scaffolds as anticancer agents

Abstract Several rhodanine derivatives ( 9 – 39 ) were synthesized for evaluation of their potential as anticancer agents. Villsmeier cyclization to synthesize aza-aromatic aldehydes, rhodanine derivatives preparation and Knoevenagel type of condensation between the rhodanines and aza-aromatic aldehydes are key steps used for the synthesis of 31 compounds. In vitro antiproliferative activity of the synthesized rhodanine derivatives ( 9 – 39 ) was studied on a panel of six human tumor cell lines viz. HGC, MNK-74, MCF-7, MDAMB-231, DU-145 and PC-3 cell lines. Some of the compounds were capable of inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cell lines at a micromolar concentration. Six compounds are found to be potent against HGC cell lines; compound 15 is found to be active against HGC – Gastric, MCF7 – Breast Cancer and DU145 – Prostate Cancer cell lines; compound 39 is potent against MNK-74; four compounds are found to be potent against MCF-7 cell lines; three compounds are active against MDAMB-231; nine compounds are found to be potent against DU-145; three compounds are active against PC-3 cell lines. These compounds constitute a promising starting point for the development of novel and more potent anticancer agents in future.