2--4--dihydroxychalcone and Breast-Neoplasms

Five isoliquiritigenin analogues, including a new methylene-bridged bischalcone (1), were isolated from Spatholobus suberectus. Cytotoxicity screening of these isolates and several synthetic derivatives indicated that the introduction, removal, position modification, or glycosylation of hydroxy groups in isoliquiritigenin did not improve the resultant cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines. In addition, cyclization of OH-2' chalcones or reduction of the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl double bond decreased such cytotoxicity substantially. However, methylation of hydroxy groups resulted in a marked increase in such cytotoxic activity. Among these active isoliquiritigenin analogues, 3',4',5',4″-tetramethoxychalcone (3h) was obtained as a compound with promising cytotoxic activity.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Proliferation; Chalcones; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Fabaceae; Female; Humans; Molecular Structure

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP/ABCG2) belongs to the ATP binding cassette family of transport proteins. BCRP has been found to confer multidrug resistance in cancer cells. A strategy to overcome resistance due to BCRP overexpression is the investigation of potent and specific BCRP inhibitors. The aim of the current study was to investigate different multi-substituted chalcones for their BCRP inhibition. We synthesized chalcones and benzochalcones with different substituents (viz. OH, OCH(3), Cl) on ring A and B of the chalcone structure. All synthesized compounds were tested by Hoechst 33342 accumulation assay to determine inhibitory activity in MCF-7 MX and MDCK cells expressing BCRP. The compounds were also screened for their P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and Multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) inhibitory activity in the calcein AM accumulation assay and were found to be selective towards inhibition of BCRP. Substituents at position 2' and 4' on chalcone ring A were found to be essential for activity; additionally there was a great influence of substituents on ring B. Presence of 3,4-dimethoxy substitution on ring B was found to be optimal, while presence of 2- and 4-chloro substitution also showed a positive effect on BCRP inhibition.

Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Member 2; ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line, Tumor; Chalcones; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; Female; Humans; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins; Neoplasm Proteins