3,5-Bis(3-alkylaminomethyl-4-hydroxybenzylidene)-4-piperidones: A Novel Class of Potent Tumor-Selective Cytotoxins

Novel 4-piperidone derivatives 2a-f are disclosed as potent cytotoxins. Many of these compounds are more potent than the reference drug melphalan. The compounds in series 2, 4-7 display selective toxicities toward various neoplasms compared to some normal cells. 2a is one of the promising lead molecules that display >11-fold higher growth inhibiting potency than 5-fluorouracil against human colon cancer cells. 2a induces apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, and cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase.