Synthesis and biological activity of salinomycin-hydroxamic acid conjugates.

Several salinomycin-hydroxamic acid conjugates were designed and synthesized. Most conjugates showed better antiproliferative activities than salinomycin in HT-29 colon cancer, HGC-27 gastric cancer, and especially in MDA-MB-231 triple-negative human breast cancer cells. These conjugates are stable in cell culture media, and they showed much better biological activities than the 1:1 physical mixture with hydroxamic acids and salinomycin. The better membrane permeability and hydrolysis rate of the conjugates may lead to the activity improvements.