New hexahydroxybiphenyl derivatives as inhibitors of protein kinase C.

We have previously shown that some ellagitannins are potent inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC). On the basis of this finding, several series of hexahydroxybiphenyl derivatives of ellagic acid were synthesized as simple analogs of these ellagitannins and were evaluated for their inhibitory effect against PKC. Compounds 23 and 26 were found to be potent inhibitors of PKC, while hexakis-(benzyloxy)biphenyl derivatives exhibited weak anti-PKC activity.