Nitro and amino substitution in the D-ring of 5-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)- 2,3-methylenedioxy-5H-dibenzo[c,h][1,6]naphthyridin-6-ones: effect on topoisomerase-I targeting activity and cytotoxicity

5H-8,9-dimethoxy-5-(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)-2,3-methylenedioxydibenzo[c,h][1,6]naphthyridin-6-one exhibits potent TOP1-targeting activity and pronounced antitumor activity. It was hypothesized that replacement of the two methoxyl groups with a nitro substituent would allow for retention of similar activity. In this study 8-, 9-, and 10-nitro-5H-2,3-methylenedioxy-5-(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)dibenzo[c,h][1,6]naphthyridin-6-one and their amino derivatives were synthesized and assessed for their relative TOP1-targeting activity and cytotoxicity. In the case of both the 8- and 9-nitro analogues, their TOP1-targeting activity and cytotoxicity are greater than that of camptothecin and comparable to that of 5H-8,9-dimethoxy-5-(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)-2,3-methylenedioxydibenzo[c,h][1,6]naphthyridin-6-one.