Synthesis, Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking of 4-Amino-2H-benzo[h]chromen-2-one Analogs Containing the Piperazine Moiety

Researchers designed and synthesized 22 analogs of 4-Amino-2H-benzo[h]chromen-2-one as potential anti-prostate cancer agents targeting androgen receptors (AR). Thirteen analogs (3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 16, 18, 21, 23, and 24) showed significant AR antagonistic activity (inhibition >50%) and higher efficacy than finasteride in AR-rich LNCaP cells compared to AR-deficient PC-3 cells. Molecular docking indicated that the most potent compound, analog 23, binds to the AR ligand binding pocket via Van der Waals interactions. This study provided a promising lead compound for prostate cancer therapy and advanced the development of novel AR antagonists.