Anti-mitotic properties of resveratrol analog (Z)-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene

(Z)-3,5,4'-Trimethoxystilbene is a natural polyphenol present in five different plants, Virola cuspidata, Virola elongata, Centipeda minima, Schoenus nigricans and Rheum undulatum. This molecule was prepared in a three-step sequence in good overall yield. The isomerisation from the (E)- to (Z)-isomer is performed using UV irradiation. Biological investigations were conducted on a human colon cancer cell line (Caco-2) with anti-mitotic activities. Growth was completely arrested at an added 0.4 microM level of (Z)-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene. This agent is 100-fold more active than resveratrol or (E)-3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene, and the mechanism of this process involves an inhibition of tubulin polymerisation in a dose dependent manner.