An Efficient Synthetic Route toward Biologically Active γ-Carboline Derivatives

An efficient and short route was established for the synthesis of anti-BVDV agents namely 4-methyl-γ-carboline (SK4 M) 1, 3-methyl-γ-carboline (SK3 M) 2, 5-methyl-γ-carboline (SK5 M) 3 and a new γ-carboline derivative 4 using thermal electrocyclization reaction as a key step. The evaluation of cytotoxicity of compound 4 against human cervical cancer cell line HeLa and Leukemic cell line HL-60 furnished CC50 value of 19.5 and 18.8 µM respectively.