Synthesis and application of quercetin hybrids as potential anticancer agents in the treatment of ovarian cancer

<p>Cancers, including ovarian cancer, are a growing public health problem due to their high incidence and mortality rates. Ovarian cancer is a particularly challenging neoplasm to diagnose in its early stages due to the absence of specific symptoms and the paucity of effective diagnostic methods. The standard treatment regime for this condition includes surgical intervention, the administration of chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.</p><p>Flavonoids, a prevalent class of phytonutrients, have been demonstrated to possess a plethora of biological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Quercetin, a widely recognised flavonol, has garnered significant attention due to its limited bioavailability, which has prompted the exploration of novel, more active derivatives. Research has demonstrated that structural modifications, incorporating the incorporation of groups comprising single, double or triple bonds, can substantially augment anticancer activity by modulating apoptosis, inhibiting angiogenesis and constraining cancer cell migration.</p><p>In the course of the study, a series of new quercetin derivatives were synthesised, and their effects on ovarian cancer cells and normal cells were evaluated. Two compounds were selected from among those obtained, which showed particularly strong activity against the OVCAR-3 and SW626 cell lines. Furthermore, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to ascertain the thermal stability and physicochemical properties of the compounds under investigation.</p>