Synthesized Derivatives of Aloe-Emodin as Proliferation Inhibitors for Human Breast Adenocarcinoma, Human Nonsmall Cell Lung Carcinoma, and Human Cervix Carcinoma

Aloe-emodin, which is isolated from Rheum palmatum L. and Aloe vera, has been proved to possess good antiproliferative activity. A series of Aloe-emodin derivatives were designed and synthesized; in addition, they were evaluated as inhibitors of proliferation of human breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB-231), human nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (A549), and human cervix carcinoma (HeLa) cells. The biological activity results showed that 4a, 4c, and 4d exhibited better antiproliferative activity than aloe-emodin for MDA-MB-231 cells at a concentration of 3 μM, and only 4a and 4d exhibited better antiproliferative activity for A549 cells at the same concentration level.