Synthesis, characterization, and anticancer evaluation of some new N1-(anthraquinon-2-yl) amidrazone derivatives

A new series of novel N1-anthraquinon-2-yl amidrazones incorporating N-piperazines and related congeners were synthesized via reaction of the hydrazonoyl chloride derived from 2-qaminoanthraquinone with the appropriate piperazine (secondary amine). Structures of the new compounds were confirmed by a panel of spectroscopic methods including IR, NMR, and MS and by elemental analysis. The antitumor activity of the newly prepared compounds was evaluated in vitro against MCF-7 breast cancer, K562 chronic myelogenous leukemia, and dermal fibroblasts cell lines by means of a cell viability assay using the tetrazolium dye 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. Results revealed that compounds 13a and 13d exhibit the highest inhibitory activity against K562 and MCF-7 cell lines. These two compounds could be considered as promising as potential anticancer drugs.