Nitric oxide releasing acridone carboxamide derivatives as reverters of doxorubicin resistance in MCF7/Dx cancer cells.

A series of nitric oxide donating acridone derivatives are synthesized and evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activity against different sensitive and resistant cancer cell lines MCF7/Wt, MCF7/Mr (BCRP overexpression) and MCF7/Dx (P-gp expression). The results showed that NO-donating acridones are potent against both the sensitive and resistant cells. Structure activity relationship indicate that the nitric oxide donating moiety connected through a butyl chain at N(10) position as well as morpholino moiety linkage through an amide bridge on the acridone ring system at C-2 position, are required to exert a good cytotoxic effect.