Synthesis of 5.6-dihydroxy-2-phenyl-1-benzofuran-3(2H)-one derivatives as new leads for anti-cancer activity

Abstract

Benzofuranone derivatives are of great interest in medicinal chemistry and have drawn considerable attention due to their diverse pharmacological profiles including anticancer activity. Similarly, chalcones, which are common substructures of numerous natural products belonging to the flavonoid class, feature strong anticancer properties. A novel series of 5.6- dihydroxy-2-phenyl-1-benzofuran-3(2H)-one derivatives were designed, synthesized, and characterized. In vitro antitumor activities of the newly synthesized (VA-F) were determined by using human skin cancer cell lines. Antitumor properties of all compounds were determined by 5.6-dihydroxy- 2-phenyl-1-benzofuran-3(2H)-one (MTT) assay. Cell viability assay for the tested flavone compounds was performed, and the values of the compounds were calculated after 24-hour treatment. Our results indicate that the tested benzofuranone compounds show antitumor activity against human skin cancer cell lines.