Synthesis and evaluation of benzoylbenzofurans and isoflavone derivatives as sirtuin 1 inhibitors with antiproliferative effects on cancer cells

•Isoflavone analogues were synthesized from benzoylbenzofuran precursors.•Benzoylbenzofurans and isoflavones inhibited MDA-MB-231 cancer cell proliferation.•Isoflavone derivatives were discovered as potent sirtuin 1 inhibitors.•Isoflavone quinone 39 displayed sirtuin 1 inhibitory activity comparable to that of suramin.•In silico docking studies revealed the binding modes of the active sirtuin 1 inhibitors.