Synthesis, antiproliferative activity and tubulin targeting effect of acridinone and dioxophenothiazine derivatives.

The synthesis of new acridinone and dioxophenothiazine derivatives along with their tubulin polymerization inhibitory and antiproliferative activities is reported. The analysis of correlation for cytotoxic and antitubulin potential of tested compounds showed that 4-methoxyphenylethyl derivatives 18a and 19a were highly cytotoxic but were regarded to have no significant antitubulin activity. However, the introduction of a 3-hydroxy substituent leading to compounds 18e and 19e, strongly increased the antitubulin potential but was associated with a loss of the antiproliferative activity. Modeling studies, topoisomerase inhibition assays and cell cycle analysis have been performed to better investigate the mechanism of action of such compounds.