New 2-aryl-1,4-naphthoquinone-1-oxime methyl ether compound induces microtubule depolymerization and subsequent apoptosis.

In this study, we describe the antitumor activity of QO-1, one of the new 2-aryl-1,4-naphthoquinone-1-oxime methyl ether derivatives. QO-1 is a derivative of macarpine, a natural occurring product from Rutaceae plant. It could potently inhibit cell growth when tested on 19 cancer cell lines.

2-Aryl-1,4-naphthoquinone-1-oxime methyl ethers: their cytotoxic activity.

Preliminary examination for the structure-activity relationship of quinone monooxime derivatives on cytotoxicity against HeLa S3 cell and further trials using eight different cell lines suggested that 2-aryl-6,7-methylenedioxy-1,4-naphthoquinone-1-oxime methyl ethers, carrying 2-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyphenyl, 7-methoxy-2-methylbenzofuran-4-yl, and 2-methoxycarbonyl-3,4-dimethoxyphenyl as the 2-aryl substituent, were potential candidates for anti-cancer drugs.