Synthesis and evaluation of (−)-Massoialactone and analogues as potential anticancer and anti-inflammatory agents

(−)-Massoialactone, an α,β-unsaturated δ-lactone isolated from Cryptocarya massoia, and five analogues were synthesized and their antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated. The lactones were able to mimic the “core” functional group required for the biological activity of their parent natural compounds suggesting that substantially altered analogues may retain their properties. (−)-Massoialactone, an α,β-unsaturated δ-lactone isolated from Cryptocarya massoia, and five analogues were synthesized and their antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated. The lactones were able to mimic the “core” functional group required for the biological activity of their parent natural compounds suggesting that substantially altered compounds may retain their properties. [Display omitted] •We described the synthesis of (−)-Massoialactone and structural related lactones.•Our methodology allows the synthesis of more complex derivatives.•Our synthesized compounds exhibit in vitro cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines.•Some of our synthesized compounds exhibit in vitro anti-inflammatory activity.•Docking analysis showed that our compounds can mimic the mode of action Leptomycin.