Structural modification of 3-arylisoquinolines to isoindolo[2,1-b]isoquinolinones for the development of novel topoisomerase 1 inhibitors with molecular docking study.

Isoindolo[2,1-b]isoquinolinones 9a-i were designed and synthesized as constrained forms of 3-arylisoquinolines through an intramolecular cyclization reaction. Among the synthesized compounds, 9d exhibited potent topoisomerase 1 inhibitory activity with cytotoxicities against three different tumor cell lines. A Surflex-dock docking study was performed to clarify the topoisomerase 1 inhibitory activity of 9d.