Synthesis, cytotoxicity and computational study of novel protoberberine derivatives

Abstract

A novel and efficient synthetic route was developed for the preparation of protoberberine derivatives. A methodology, designed primarily to control the substitution patterns on the terminal rings, was used to access a small array of these compounds. An initial biological profiling suggested an anticancer potential of the synthesised derivatives, while structure-based target fishing identified their potential targets and established a rational basis for further structural modifications. Although the activities need further improvement, the study demonstrated that the described approach may be useful in the discovery of novel lead compounds.