Synthesis, Characterization and Activity Evaluation of Matrinic Acid Derivatives as Potential Antiproliferative Agents

A series of new matrinic acid derivatives5a–ewas synthesized. The chemical structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by1H-NMR,13C-NMR, and electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy. The anti-tumor activities were also investigatedin vitroby evaluating the effect of synthesized compounds on the proliferation of A375, A549, HeLa, and HepG2 cells. Compound5ewas found to be the most potent against A375 and HeLa cells, with IC50values of 37 and 75.5 μg/mL, respectively. Compounds5b,5c,5g, and5halso exhibited antiproliferative activities against A549 cells, with IC50values within the 36.2–47 μg/mL range. For HepG2 cells,5eand5i, with IC50values of 78.9 and 61 μg/mL, respectively, showed higher antiproliferative activity than taxol.Keywords:matrinic acid derivative;synthesis;antiproliferative activity