3-Nitro-2H-chromenes as a new class of inhibitors against thioredoxin reductase and proliferation of cancer cells.

ABSTRACT

A series of 3-nitrochromenes were designed and synthesized. These compounds showed good inhibitory activity against thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and the proliferation of A549 cancer cells. The structure-activity relationship analysis indicates that the 3-nitrochromene scaffold is the crucial pharmacophore for achieving good inhibitory activity. The bromo-substitutions at the 6- and 8-position of 3-nitrochromene significantly increase the inhibitory activity.