Synthesis, characterization and cytotoxic activity of new salicylaldehyde benzoylhydrazone derivatives as potential anti-proliferative agents.

Three new hydrazones, derivatives of salicylaldehyde benzoylhydrazone, were synthesized as potential anti-proliferative compounds. The structure of the new compounds was characterized by elemental and thermo-gravimetric analyses, IR, 1H and 13C-NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. The cytotoxic effects of new hydrazones were examined on a wide spectrum of human tumor cell lines. The obtained results revealed that all compounds proved to be equipotent or moreactive than cisplatin, and far more activethan another utilized anticancer drug, melphalan. On the basis of IC50 values the compound 3-methoxy-salicylaldehyde isonicotinoylhydrazone (mSIH) was found to be the most active cytotoxic agent at all cell lines.