Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of N -Acylhydrazones Derived from Betulin Diacetate

Eight new N -acylhydrazones were synthesized from betulin diacetate by its low-temperature ozonolysis to obtain 3β,3,28-diacetoxyoxy-20-oxo-29-norlupan and condensation of the latter with capric, cyclohexanoic, benzoic, o -hydroxy-, p -hydroxy-, p -methoxybenzoic, isonicotinic, and nicotinic hydrazides. The synthesized compounds were tested for in vitro cytotoxic activity against a number of cancer cell lines. The derivatives of salicylic, isonicotinic, and nicotinic hydrazides showed moderate activity against HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma, HTC-116 human colon cancer, THP-1 leukemia, and Jurkat acute T-cell leukemia cells.