New topoisomerases inhibitors: synthesis of rutaecarpine derivatives and their inhibitory activity against topoisomerases.

A series of rutaecarpine derivatives were prepared by employing previously reported methods and their inhibitory activities against topoisomerase I and II were evaluated. Among them, strongly cytotoxic 10-bromorutaecarpine and 3-chlororutaecarpine showed strong inhibitory activities against topo I and II.