Synthesis,characterization, and antitumour studies of some curcuminoid analogues and their aluminum complexes

Aluminum(III) complexes of three curcuminoid analogues [1,7-diphenyl-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, HL¹; 1,7-bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, HL²; and 1,7-bis(4-ethoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, HL³] of [AlL₃] stoichiometry were synthesized and characterized by UV, IR, ¹H NMR, and mass spectral data. The compounds were investigated for cytotoxic and antitumor activities. The aluminum chelates are remarkably active compared to free curcuminoid analogues. The aluminum complex of HL² with hydroxyl in the phenyl ring was most active towards Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells (concentration needed for 50% inhibition of 5?μg/mL) and cultured L929 cells (1?μg/mL produced 60?+?3% cell death). Increase in lifespan and reduction of solid tumor volume in mice were also largest for the aluminum complex of HL². The study reveals that the antitumor activities of curcuminoids are more enhanced by complexation with aluminum than with transition metal ions.