synthesis and in vitro antiproliferative activity of flavone and 6-hydroxyflavone oxime ethers derivatives

Herein we report the synthesis of a series of o-alkyl oximes of flavone and 6-hydroxyflavone using a simple experimental protocol under solvent free conditions with yields up to 87%. cytotoxicity of all compounds was evaluated against mda-mb-231, pc-3, a-549 and mrc-5 cells. ic50 values for two compounds were determined to be in the range 28.7-47.8 μm against all tested cell lines. oxime ethers derivatives showed ic50 values between 28.7 and 49.5 μm against mda-mb-231, while the best activity was obtained for 6-hydroxyflavone with an ic50 of 3.4 μm against this cell line. compounds containing the substituent hydroxyl at the position six of flavone system displayed the best antiproliferative activity over mda-mb-231 cells, being necessary this group to improve the sensibility on this type of cells. the antiproliferative activity of 6-hydroxyflavone is drastically diminished when the carbonyl group of flavone is changed by an oxime ether.