Abstract
In this study, a series of nortopsentin analogs (2,4-bis(indol-3-yl)pyrrole derivatives) were designed, synthesized, and tested for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against three cell lines: human prostate adenocarcinoma (PC-3), human ovary adenocarcinoma (SKOV3), and human Dukes' type B colorectal adenocarcinoma (LS-174T). Compounds 5a, 5e, 5h, 5j, and 5k had stronger antiproliferative activity against SKOV3, compound 5h and 5b against LS-174T, and compound 5e against PC-3 than the known doxorubicin drug. As a result, this work provides the framework for further research into 2,4-bis(indol-3-yl)pyrrole derivatives as antiproliferative drugs.