Cytotoxic 2,6-bis(arylidene)cyclohexanones and related compounds

A number of 2-arylidenecyclohexanones 1, 2,6-bis(arylidene)cyclohexanones 2 and related Mannich bases 3-5 were prepared. Various torsion angles as well as atomic charges on olefinic carbon atoms were determined by molecular modelling on all compounds. These molecules showed cytotoxicity towards murine P388 and L1210 cells as well as to human Molt 4/C8 and CEM T-lymphocytes. The average cytotoxicity of the dienones 2 was more than three times greater than was found with the monoarylidene analogues 1, and, in general, were slightly more cytotoxic than the Mannich bases 3-5. A number of the compounds displayed potency towards a panel of human tumour cell lines and most of the representative compounds in series 2-5 were selectively toxic to colon cancers and leukaemic cells. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.