Synthesis, characterization and in vitro anti-tumor activities of matrine derivatives

Nineteen previously unreported matrine derivatives were synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Target compounds 6a–6l and 7a–7c showed stronger inhibitory activities than matrine in the in vitro antitumor tests and inhibited the growth of the Hep7402, B16-F10, A549, and TW03 cell lines. In addition, compound 6i exhibited a potent antitumor activity similar to that of colchicine.