Synthesis and anticancer activity evaluation of some acridine derivatives

9-Amino acridine derivatives ( 1a – 1h) on condensation with 9, 10-dihydroanthracene-9, 10-α, β-succinic anhydride ( 2 ) at room temperature gave condensation products ( 3a – 3h) . Microwave-assisted condensation of 9-amino acridine derivatives ( 1a – 1d) with phthalic anhydride, cis 1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalimide, and 2,5-pyrroledione gave corresponding condensation products 4a – 4d , 5a – 5d & 6a – 6d, respectively, in good yields. All these compounds were screened for in vitro anticancer activity against five human cancer cell lines i.e., breast (T47D), lung (NCl H-522), colon (HCT-15), ovary (PA-1), and liver (Hep G2). Compounds 3a (breast T47D), 3 g (lung NCl H-522), 4a (liver Hep G2), and 6b (colon HCT-15) exhibited IC 50 values 5.4, 4.2, 4.5, and 2.4 µM, respectively, and hence possess good anticancer activity.