Antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of N,N-diethylaminoethyl ethers of flavanone oximes: a comparison with anthracycline(s), anthraquinone and nitroxides action.

Since flavanone oximes derivatives (ethers) have been shown to modulate the growth of Yoshida Sarcoma cells in vivo and to induce apoptosis, the effects of these substances on immortalized cell lines growth were examined. Cell viability and sensitivity to investigated substances was measured by the modified tetrazolium salt (MTT) assay. The antiproliferative effects were expressed as IC50 and IC90, respectively. There were very substantial differences in the dose-dependency of the observed antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects. The structure-activity relationship was evident and revealed that the substitution at B-ring of molecule seems to be an important factor in flavanone oxime (ether) potency. Compared to anticancer drugs (doxorubicin, aclarubicin and mitoxantrone) flavanone oximes displayed cytotoxicity at considerably higher concentrations. The antiproliferative action of the investigated model nitroxides depended on the free radical part of the molecule. N-hydroxy derivative (reduced cation form) did not influence cells proliferation and nor display any cytotoxicity at the applied range about 60 times higher than those of flavanone derivatives. Taken together it seems reasonable to suggest that flavanone oxime(s) (ethers) as compared with antracycline(s), anthraquinone and nitroxides might be especially good candidates for in the future development of new therapeutic techniques.