Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of 7-azaindirubin-3'-oxime, a 7-aza isostere of the natural indirubin pharmacophore

J Nat Prod. 2009 Dec;72(12):2199-202. doi: 10.1021/np9003905.

Abstract

The bis-indole alkaloid indirubin and its analogues bear a very interesting natural pharmacophore. They are recognized mainly as kinase inhibitors, but several other activities make them possible candidates for preclinical studies. Based on the previously reported activity of 7-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime and its derivatives, the synthesis of indirubins bearing a heterocyclic nitrogen atom at position 7 was carried out. Herein, we report the first synthesis of 7-azaindirubin-3'-oxime (12) as well as its antiproliferative activity against 57 cancer cell lines and its inhibitory activity against a series of kinases. 7-Azaindirubin (10) and its 3'-oxime derivative (12) showed reduced activity as kinase inhibitors in comparison with other known indirubin derivatives, but antiproliferative activity with a best GI(50) value of 0.77 microM.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins / chemical synthesis*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins / chemistry
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins / pharmacology*
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indole Alkaloids / chemical synthesis*
  • Indole Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Indole Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Indoles / pharmacology
  • Molecular Structure

Substances

  • 7-azaindirubin-3'-oxime
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor Proteins
  • Indole Alkaloids
  • Indoles
  • indirubin