Alnustone-like compounds are promising inhibitors for estrogen receptor α (ER-α), which is a novel cancer therapeutic target. Therefore, 10 alnustone-like compounds with substituents at the phenyl rings were synthesized by condensation of 4-phenyl-2-butanones and cinnamaldehydes via in situ enamination. The compounds displayed either protective activity or inhibited cell growth and proliferation of human breast cancer cells. Molecular docking studies indicated that the synthesized compounds interact with ER-α efficiently. |
