Multicomponent synthesis of pyrido[2,3-a]carbazoles and cytotoxic activity

Pyrido2,3-a]carbazoles were synthesized by multicomponent reactions using l-proline as catalyst. All the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by all spectral means. The in-vitro cytotoxicity of the newly synthesized pyrido2,3-a]carbazoles was evaluated by SRB (sulforhodamine B) assay against MCF-7 (Breast Cancer), HeLa (cervix adenocarcinoma), and A549 (Human Lung adenocarcinoma). Cisplatin, a clinically used antitumor agent was also evaluated for standard. All the newly synthesized pyrido carbazoles showed moderate to good cytotoxic activity and their structural activity relationship has been established.