SYNTHESIS AND IN-VITRO STUDY OF NOVEL (Z)-1-BENZHYDRYL-4-CINNAMYLPIPERAZINE DERIVATIVES AS POTENTIAL ANTICANCER AGENTS

Objective: The objective of this study was to synthesize Z- 1-benzhydryl-4-cinnamylpiperazines by novel stereo selective synthetic method and evaluation of their anticancer properties.Methods: A series of novel (Z)-1-benzhydryl-4-cinnamylpiperazine derivatives (9a-j) were synthesized, starting from benzophenones in six steps. Wittig condensation of appropriate benzyltriphenyl phosphonium halides with various 1-benzhydryl- 4-(2-ethanal) piperazines (3a-j), and column purification over silica gel afforded pure Z- 1-benzhydryl-4-cinnamylpiperazines.Results: The structures of newly synthesized compounds 9a-j were established by 1H & 13C NMR and mass spectral analysis. The anticancer potential (MTT assay) of synthesized compounds was tested against human cervical cancer (HeLa) and murine microglial (BV-2) cell lines. Results indicated that the most of the Z-derivatives exhibited moderate to good anticancer activity on both the cell lines over their E- antipodes.Conclusion: Compound 9i (cis- flunarizine) exhibited exceptionally superior activity against both HeLa and BV-2 cell lines with IC50 value of 13.23±3.51 µM and 23.1±4.12 µM respectively. Hence, this compound may be considered to be a potential lead molecule for further developmentÂ