10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.03.088
The research presents a comprehensive study on the synthesis and in vitro antitumor activity of crassalactone D, its stereoisomers, and novel cinnamic ester derivatives. The purpose of the study was to develop a new one-pot synthesis method for these compounds starting from D-glucose and evaluate their cytotoxic effects against various human tumor cell lines. The conclusions drawn from the research indicate that many of the synthesized compounds exhibited potent cytotoxicities, with some showing higher potency than the commercial antitumor agent doxorubicin. The study also highlighted the importance of stereochemistry at the C-4 and C-7 positions, as well as the nature of the substituent at the C-4 position in the aromatic ring of the cinnamoate moiety, for biological activity. The chemicals used in the process included D-glucose, (methoxycarbonylmethylene)triphenylphosphorane (MCMP), (ethoxycarbonylmethylene)triphenylphosphorane (ECMP), cinnamoyl chloride, 4-nitrocinnamoyl chloride, 4-methoxycinnamic acid, and 4-fluorocinnamic acid, among others. The synthesized products were assessed for their in vitro antiproliferative activity, and the results were supported by flow cytometry and Western blot analysis, providing insights into the apoptotic mechanisms triggered by the compounds.