Synthesis and biological evaluation of N-Alkylamide derivatives as anti-tumor agents

N-Alkylamides (NAAs), derived from Anacyclus pyrethrum (L.) DC, have potential anti-tumor effects. To explore the molecular mechanism and chemo-preventive capacity of NAAs, we synthesized an NAA (H-10) and evaluated whether it could inhibit the proliferation of B16, HepG2, HeLa, and HCT116 cancer cells in 2D culture. To evaluate the antiproliferative activity of H-10 in 2D and 3D culture of BD, HepG2, HeLa, and HCT116 cells, multicellular tumor spheroids were constructed to more accurately reflect the cell tumor environment. To visualize nuclear changes related to apoptosis, Hoechst 33258 staining and propidium iodide-Annexin V double staining were performed. Compound H-10 strongly inhibited the growth of all tested cell lines. Hoechst 33258 staining and propidium iodide-Annexin V double staining revealed that H-10 did not cause morphological alterations in the nuclei and moderately induced late apoptosis only when treated at 180 μM. The strongest inhibitory effect was observed in HCT116 cells. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that treatment of HCT116 cells with compound H-10 resulted in robust cell growth arrest in G2 phase in 2D and 3D cell culture; in 3D-cultured HCT116 cells, growth arrest occurred in G1 phase. Treatment with compound H-10 also significantly suppressed angiogenesis of chick chorioallantoic membrane in vivo. Treatment with compound H-10 strongly affected clonogenic survival (in the long-term) and migration of HCT116 cells. Therefore, H-10, a compound of NAAs may be useful for treating cancer because of its anti-neoplastic effect and easy synthesis.