Synthesis of Novel 1,3-Diacetoxy-Acridones as Cytotoxic Agents and their DNA-Binding Studies

A series of novel substituted acridones (1–15) have been synthesized. Their in vitro cytotoxicity against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cell lines has been investigated. The compounds 11, 12, 14 and 15 showed moderate activity against MCF-7 cell lines with IC₅₀ value < 5.83 μM. The compounds 8, 10–12, and 15 showed moderate activity against HL-60 cell lines with IC₅₀ value < 1.75 μM. The DNAbinding properties of the compounds were evaluated based on their affinity or intercalation with CT-DNA measured with absorption titration. The compound 12 bearing planar diacetoxy tricyclic ring linked with butyl piperidine side chain showed highest binding affinity with binding constant (Ki) 10.38 ×10 ×M^–1. The examination of the relationship between lipophilicity and cytotoxic properties of acridones showed a poor correlation.