Synthesis and cytotoxicity study of alkannin derivatives

Alkannin derivatives (3-19) were prepared through the reaction of beta,beta-dimethylacrylalkannin (1), the most abundant isohexenylnaphthazarin isolated from the roots of Arnebia euchroma, with different types of nucleophiles such as amines and thiols in the absence or presence of a reducing agent. The cytotoxicities of 1-8, 10-14 and 19 against four human carcinoma cell line (GLC-82, CNE2, Bel-7402, K-562) were found to be markedly higher than that of the naturally occurring beta,beta-dimethylacrylalkannin (1) and acetylalkannin (2). This study also shed light on the understanding of the biological activities in terms of the chemical reactivity of alkannins.