Synthesis, cytotoxicity and protein kinase C inhibition of arylpyrrolylmaleimides.

A series of novel arylpyrrolylmaleimides was synthesized and evaluated for their in-vitro cytotoxicity against various human cancer cell lines and their protein-kinase C inhibitory activity. Some of the compounds showed high or moderate cytotoxic activity against the tested cell lines. Compound 6b is the most promising compound against the tested cancer cell lines; 6d and 6e showed moderate protein-kinase C inhibition. Structure–activity relationships are discussed based on the experimental data obtained.