In vivo growth inhibitory and anti-angiogenic effects of synthetic novel dienone cyclopropoxy curcumin analogs on mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor.

In the present study, four novel dienone cyclopropoxy curcumin analogs 1a-4a were synthesized by nucleophillic substitution reaction with cyclopropyl bromide. The tumor inhibitory and anti-angiogenic effects of the synthetic compounds were studied on mouse Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) in vivo. The compounds 1a-4a increased the life span (% ILS) of EAT bearing mice with corresponding significant reduction in ascites volume and cell number and induced apoptotic bodies in EAT cells. Anti-angiogenic studies of the compounds demonstrated significant reduction of microvessel density (MVD) in the peritoneum wall sections of mice and induced avascular zone in CAM model. Our findings demonstrate that the tumor growth inhibitory effects of synthetic dienone cyclopropoxy curcumin analogs 1a-4a could be mediated by promoting apoptosis and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. However, the compounds need to be explored further to assess its clinical relevance.