Synthesis of Icaritin and β-anhydroicaritin Mannich Base Derivatives and Their Cytotoxic Activities on Three Human Cancer Cell Lines

Background: Prenyl flavonoid icaritin (1) and β-anhydroicaritin (2) are two natural products with important biological and pharmacological effects. such as antiosteoporosis, estrogen regulation and antitumor properties. Objective: The present study investigates the synthesis and cytotoxic activities on three Human cancer cell lines (Hela, HCC1954 and SK-OV-3) of icaritin and β-anhydroicaritin Mannich base derivatives in vitro models. Method: Preylated flavonoid icaritin (1) upon treatment with formic acid under microwave assistance gave another natural product β-anhydroicaritin (2) in good yield (89%). Based on Mannich reaction of 1 or 2 with various secondary amines and formaldehyde, two series eighteen new 6-aminomethylated flavonoids Mannich base derivatives 3-11 and 12-20 were synthesized. Their cytotoxic potential against three human cancer cell lines (Hela, HCC1954 and SK-OV-3) were evaluated by the standard MTT method with cis-Platin and Paclitaxel as positive control. Results: Our research showed that most of these flavonoid Mannich base derivatives displayed equal or higher (lower IC50 values) cytotoxic activities than the positive control cis-Platin. Some compounds possess the IC50 value below 10μM. Compounds 6-(diisopropylamino)methyl- and 6-morpholinylmethyl substituted β-anhydroicaritin (15 and 19) showed selective cytotoxicity against HCC1954 cells (IC50 12.688 μM) and Hela cells (IC50 6.543 μM) respectively. Conclusion: Our finding most of icaritin and β-anhydroicaritin Mannich base derivatives possessing moderate to potent cytotoxicity against these three cancer cells (Hela, HCC1954 and SK-OV-3). Compound 15 and 19 showed selective cytotoxicity against HCC1954 cells and Hela cells respectively, they are potential and selective anticancer agent and worthy of further development.