Preliminary Antiproliferative Evaluation of Natural,-Synthetic Benzaldehydes and Benzyl Alcohols

Abstract

Vanillin, o-vanillin, natural and synthetic benzaldehydes and benzyl alcohols were assessed for antiproliferative effects using different human cell lines. Benzyl alcohols were synthesized from benzaldehydes reduced with NaBH 4 in methanol solution. A new method for deprotection of ether compounds with TiCl 4 solution was achieved with better performance, than previously reported. Twenty four compounds were tested. The in vitro growth inhibition assay was based on sulphorhodamine dye to quantify cell viability. Catechol 9 derived from piperonal as well as compounds 4 and 12 showed higher cytotoxicity on breast and prostate cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and PC-3 respectively). o-Vanillin 5 has the highest cytotoxicity for all cell lines. IC 50 values of 35.40 ± 4.2 μM Breast MDA-MB231; 47.10 ± 3.8 μM Prostate PC-3; 72.50 + 5.4 μM Prostate DU-145; 85.10 + 6.5 μM and Colon HT-29, were obtained without toxicity towards dermal human fibroblast (DHF cells).

In vitro antioxidant and antiproliferative effect of the extracts of Ephedra chilensis K Presl aerial parts

“…Similar compounds (vanillin, ferulic acid, and lignin) have been found in E. breana and E. alata [62, 63]. These compounds have a common core (benzene-3,4-OR) which is a fragment present in several molecules with antiproliferative activity such as lignins and benzaldehydes [64–66].…”