Synthesis and antitumor, antityrosinase, and antioxidant activities of xanthone

Ten substituted 1,3-dihydroxyxanthones were synthesized in one step. The yields ranged from 40 to 76%. Compounds 8–10 were first reported. Next, the compounds’ in vitro anti-proliferative activities against nine human cancer cell lines, antityrosinase, and antioxidant activities were evaluated. Compounds 1, 4, 6–7, and 9–10 exhibited enhanced cytotoxicity against certain cancer cells. Compounds 2, 8, 9, and 10 inhibited tyrosinase activity to a certain extent. In addition, compound 4 exhibited the best antioxidant activity, which was consistent with theoretical calculations. These results demonstrated that compounds 1–2, 4, and 6–10 were promising leads for further investigation.