Synthesis and In-Vitro Cytotoxicity of (E)-N,2,3-Triarylacrylamide Derivatives as Analogs of Combretastatin A-4

A new series of (E)-N,2,3-triarylacrylamide derivatives were designed and synthesized as potent anticancer agents. Cytotoxicity of the 26 target compounds was evaluated in vitro against six cancer cell lines (HCT116, A549, MDA-MB-468, HepG2, SKNMC and SK-OV-3) by Sulforhodamine B colorimetric assay. The most promising compound, 4h, was as potent as the reference drug cisplatin (DDP). Preliminary structure–activity relationship (SAR) data provided guidance for further design and discovery of (E)- N,2,3-triarylacrylamide scaffold anticancer agents.