Abstract
A new series of hydrazone derivatives were synthesized from 4-(2-chloroethyl) semicarbazide and their antiproliferative activity against human brain (U251) and liver (Hepg2) carcinoma cell lines were evaluated. The hydrazone compounds are benzaldehyde (2a-2g), acetophenone (3a-3f), and 3-formylindole derivatives (4a-4d). Among the acetophenone derivatives, 3e (p-methoxy substituted) and 3f (p-nitro substituted) showed the highest cytotoxic activity against Hepg2 cell line (IC50 = 6 and 8 mu g/ml, respectively). Among the 3-formylindole derivatives, 4a (hydrazone of 3-formylindole itself) showed a pronounced cytotoxic activity against both U251 (IC50 = 21 mu g/ml) and Hepg2 (IC50 = 7 mu g/ml).