Synthesis and photo-induced anticancer activity of new 2-phenylethenyl-1H-benzo[e]indole dyes.

Herein, a series of new 1,1,2-trimethyl-1H-benzo[e]indole dyes was prepared via Knoevenagel condensation reaction between 1,1,2-trimethyl-1H-benzo[e]indole and benzaldehydes, and characterized using various spectroscopic methods. The obtained compounds showed cytotoxic properties in G361 melanoma cell line upon irradiation with 414 nm blue light at submicromolar doses. The mechanism of action of the most potent compound 15 was further investigated. The treatment induced substantial generation of reactive oxygen species, leading to DNA damage followed by cell death depending on the concentration of the photosensitizer compound and the irradiation intensity.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: A patent application titled '1,1-Dimethyl-2-[(E)-2-Phenylethenyl]-1H-benzo[e]indole Derivatives and Uses Thereof' (U.S. App. 18/456,145) has been filed by Gabriele Varvuolyte, Eva Reznickova, Sonata Krikstolaityte (currently - Sonata Krikstole), Aurimas Bieliauskas, Veronika Vojackova, Neringa Kleiziene, Egle Arbaciauskiene, Asta Zukauskaite, Vladimir Krystof and Algirdas Sackus. Any additional authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper.
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