biostudies-literatureLi YNatural Science Foundation of ShanghaiShanghai Frontiers Research Centre of the Hadal Biosphere2412865https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11486183biostudies-literatureUnknown39(1)1'-Hydroxy-4',8,8'-trimethoxy-[2,2'-binaphthalene]-1,4-dione (compound <b>5</b>), a secondary metabolite recently discovered in marine fungi, demonstrates promising cytotoxic and anticancer potential. However, knowledge regarding the anticancer activities and biological mechanisms of its derivatives remains limited. Herein, a series of novel naphthoquinone-naphthol derivatives were designed, synthesised, and evaluated for their anticancer activity against cancer cells of different origins. Among these, Compound <b>13</b>, featuring an oxopropyl group at the <i>ortho</i>-position of quinone group, exhibited the most potent inhibitory effects on HCT116, PC9, and A549 cells, with IC₅₀ values decreasing from 5.27 to 1.18 μM (4.5-fold increase), 6.98 to 0.57 μM (12-fold increase), anJournal of enzyme inhibition and medicinal chemistryDesign, synthesis and biological evaluation of marine naphthoquinone-naphthol derivatives as potential anticancer agents.PMC1148618321ZR1427300Li YYelv LZhu YLiu NWu XfalseDesign, synthesis and biological evaluation of marine naphthoquinone-naphthol derivatives as potential anticancer agents.1'-Hydroxy-4',8,8'-trimethoxy-[2,2'-binaphthalene]-1,4-dione (compound <b>5</b>), a secondary metabolite recently discovered in marine fungi, demonstrates promising cytotoxic and anticancer potential. However, knowledge regarding the anticancer activities and biological mechanisms of its derivatives remains limited. Herein, a series of novel naphthoquinone-naphthol derivatives were designed, synthesised, and evaluated for their anticancer activity against cancer cells of different origins. Among these, Compound <b>13</b>, featuring an oxopropyl group at the <i>ortho</i>-position of quinone group, exhibited the most potent inhibitory effects on HCT116, PC9, and A549 cells, with IC₅₀ values decreasing from 5.27 to 1.18 μM (4.5-fold increase), 6.98 to 0.57 μM (12-fold increase), an2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Dec2025-04-18T13:09:45.742Z2025-04-06T22:42:44.679ZS-EPMC114861833940403210.1080/14756366.2024.2412865