Design, synthesis and anticancer activity of oxoaporphine alkaloid derivatives.

A series of new oxoaporphine derivatives were synthesized and their inhibitory activity of topoisomerase I, cytotoxicity and DNA-binding properties were studied. Oxoaporphine can strongly inhibit topoisomerase I at concentrations of 5-50 µM and the cytotoxicity of the derivatives are more potent than their lead compound. Hypochromism, broadening and red shift in the absorption spectra were observed when these compounds bind to calf thymus DNA (CT DNA). These spectral characteristics were consistent with the intercalative binding of these compounds.