2,4-Diaryl benzofuro[3,2-b]pyridine derivatives: Design, synthesis, and evaluation of topoisomerase inhibitory activity and cytotoxicity

Designed and synthesized twenty-four 2,4-diaryl benzofuro[3,2-b]pyridine derivatives were evaluated for topoisomerase I and II inhibitory activities as well as cytotoxicities against several human cancer cell lines. Various aryl groups such as phenyl, 2- or 3- furyl, 2- or 3-thienyl, and 2-pyridyl were substituted at 2- or 4- position of central pyridine. Compounds 8, 12, 13, and 14, with 2-furyl either at 2- or 4- position of central pyridine showed the significant topoisomerase II inhibitory activity at 100 μM.