Synthesis of Caffeic Acid Derivatives: Identification of (E)-N-(4-Cyanobenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)acrylamide as an Anticancer Agent against Human Cervical Cancer Cells

A novel series of natural compound-caffeic acid derivatives were synthesized by coupling with different substituted amines and alkyl halides in an effort to enhance the anticancer activity and explore the structure-activity relationship. The structures of the compounds were determined by 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy analysis. Compounds were evaluated for inhibition against HeLa-cervical cancer cell proliferation and results revealed that compound (E)-N-(4-cyanobenzyl)-3-(3,4- dihydroxyphenyl)acrylamide (SHC5) exhibited potent antiproliferative activity with 5.2 μM concentration and it is further confirmed by Hoechst/PI double staining and Annexin V/PI double staining assay. Further, compound SHC5 was screened against other cancer cell lines namely K562, Jurkat, HCT116 and MiaPaCa2 to test the specificity of the molecule and found to be ineffective.