Synthesis and evaluation of antitumor activity of novel 2-[Nmethyl-N-(4-methyl-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)aminomethyl]-5,8-diacyloxy-1,4-naphthoquinones.

A series of nine new compounds bridged by acyl groups at the 5,8-dihydroxyl group of DHNQ were synthesized and their cytotoxic activity against L1210 and P388 cancer cells was examined. Their antitumor action in mice bearing S-180 cells in the peritoneal cavity was also assessed. Increasing the size of the acyl group (compounds 7-9) up to propyl increased the antitumor activity (T/C value), whereas the cytotoxicity of these compounds was comparable against L1210 (lymphocytic leukemia) and P388 (lymphoid neoplasm) cancer cells.

Synthesis and evaluation of antitumor activity of novel 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives (IV).

1,4-Naphthoquinones are widely distributed in nature and many clinically important antitumor drugs containing a quinone moiety, such as anthracyclines, mitoxantrones and saintopin, show excellent anticancer activity. In this study, 2- or 6-substituted 5,8-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DMNQ) and 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (DHNQ) derivatives were synthesized, and their cytotoxic activity against L1210 and P388 cancer cells was examined. Their antitumor activity was also assessed in mice bearing S-180 cells in the peritoneal cavity.