Synthesis of natural phaeosphaeride A derivatives and an in vitro evaluation of their anti-cancer potential.

Derivatives of phaeosphaeride A (PPA) were synthesised and characterised; then anti-cancer studies were carried out on the A549 cancer cell line. It was found that the acetyl derivative (compound 3) displayed comparable in vitro cytotoxicity to that of PPA (EC50=49±7 µM and EC50=46±5 µM, respectively), while chloroacetyl derivative 6 (EC50=33±7 µM) was found to have better efficacy towards the A549 cancer cell line.