Methoxy- and methyl-, methoxy-5,6,11-trimethyl-6H-indolo [2,3-b]quinolinium derivatives as novel cytotoxic agents and DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors.

New members of the cytotoxic indolo[2,3-b]quinoline family, with a methyl groups at N-5, N-6 (their presence stabilizes the positive charge of the molecule), were prepared using a modified Graebe-Ullmann reaction. The derivatives obtained were well soluble in water in a non-pH-dependent manner. They displayed strong antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria and pathogenic fungi (the MIC values fall between 0.0025 and 0.12 mM) and highly selective cytotoxicity in vitro against different human cancer cell lines: colon adenocarcinoma SW 707, lung carcinoma A 549, transitional cell carcinoma Hu 1703, and oral epidermoid carcinoma KB, in the range of 0.01 to 3.0 microM. They also stimulated the formation of topoisomerase-II-mediated DNA cleavage at concentration from 0.04 to 0.5 microM. These observations correspond well with the ability of the tested compounds to increase the melting temperature of calf thymus DNA (delta Tm being between 13 degrees C and 22 degrees C).