The cytotoxicity of brazilin and derivatives might be due to an inhibition of the c-Src-kinase

Abstract

In this study, several derivatives of brazilin with different lipophilicity were synthesized. The cytotoxic potential of these substances was evaluated in S.R.B. assays. A triacetylated brazilin reaction with PBr 3 or PCl 3 and a subsequent aqueous workup led to the formation of a phosphorous ester containing two triacetylated brazilin subunits. This compound held unexpected high cytotoxicity. In this study, Brazilin-derived triacetate showed good cytotoxic activity (EC50 = 5.2 M) concerning A2780 carcinoma cells. The results from docking studies suggest that brazilin's cytotoxicity might be due to an inhibition of a tyrosine kinase in an ATP-competitive manner.