Synthesis and characterization of some novel fatty acid analogues: a preliminary investigation on their activity against human lung carcinoma cell line.

BACKGROUND: Preparation of some novel heterocyclic compounds with long alkyl and alkenyl chain of cytotoxic activity. METHODS: Gamma linolenic acid, a poly unsaturated fatty acid and stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid were isolated from the microalga Spirulina platensis. Some novel gamma linolenic acid and stearic acid analogues having 1,3,4-oxadiazole and 1,2,4-triazole were synthesized and characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectral analysis. Cytotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated by the growth inhibition of A-549 cells in-vitro. RESULTS: Compound 1 and 3 showed comparable cytotoxicity against the human lung carcinoma A-549 cell lines.