N-methylcarbamate derivatives of ellipticine and olivacine with cytotoxic activity against four human lung cancer cell lines

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/jm00104a011

A series of analogues of the antitumor alkaloids ellipticine and olivacine were tested for cytotoxicity against four human lung cancer cell lines: H69, N417, H460, and H358. Adriamycin (doxorubicin), ellipticine, olivacine, and celiptinium were used as standards. Adriamycin was cytotoxic at 2 μM and celiptinium was inactive at the highest concentrations tested (IC₅₀ > 48 μM). N-methylcarbamates of 9-methoxy-6H-pyrido[4,3-b]carbazole 1-,5-, and 11-methanols gave IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.02 to 0.11 μM against N417, H460, and H358 and were only slightly less effective against H69.