Development Of Curcumin Monocarbonyl Analogs For Treatment Of Melanoma: Synthesis, Antiproliferative Activity, And Mechanistic Investigation
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Poster
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Start Date
11-4-2025 10:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2025 10:50 AM
Abstract
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with limited treatment options in advanced stages, and its prevalence is rising in the U.S. Early-stage melanoma can often be successfully treated with surgery. However, as it metastasizes, treatment becomes challenging, typically necessitating chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy, which are ineffective due to melanoma resistance and lack of specificity. This underscores the need for new therapies, particularly those using natural compounds with strong anticancer properties. Curcumin, a compound derived from turmeric, holds promise for anticancer development. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Studies show curcumin and its synthetic analogs can inhibit melanoma cell growth, induce apoptosis, and suppress metastasis by targeting key molecular pathways such as NF-κB, MAPK, and p53. We aimed to develop and evaluate novel curcumin monocarbonyl analogs with various substituents on the aromatic rings. These analogs were synthesized through condensation reactions with multiple benzaldehydes and piperidone in glacial acetic acid or sodium hydroxide. We then investigated the antiproliferative activity of these analogs in MeWo and SK-Mel-30 melanoma cell lines, focusing on their structure-activity relationship (SAR) to identify critical components for antiproliferative and cytotoxic properties while maintaining selectivity. Results indicated that these monocarbonyl curcumin analogs exhibited significant cytotoxicity (IC50 < 1μM). Monoketone curcumin analogs demonstrate considerable potential as therapeutic agents for NRAS mutant melanoma. These compounds show potent anticancer activity, which may be associated with the induction of apoptosis. Ongoing research will further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying their activity, laying the groundwork for the future development of more effective melanoma treatments.
Recommended Citation
Oyetunji, Ibukunoluwa; Burklo, Alexandra; Brown, Haley; Koh, David; and Abdelhamid, Dalia, "Development Of Curcumin Monocarbonyl Analogs For Treatment Of Melanoma: Synthesis, Antiproliferative Activity, And Mechanistic Investigation" (2025). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 88.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2025/Posters/88
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Development Of Curcumin Monocarbonyl Analogs For Treatment Of Melanoma: Synthesis, Antiproliferative Activity, And Mechanistic Investigation
ONU McIntosh Center; Activities Room
Melanoma is an aggressive skin cancer with limited treatment options in advanced stages, and its prevalence is rising in the U.S. Early-stage melanoma can often be successfully treated with surgery. However, as it metastasizes, treatment becomes challenging, typically necessitating chemotherapy, radiation, or immunotherapy, which are ineffective due to melanoma resistance and lack of specificity. This underscores the need for new therapies, particularly those using natural compounds with strong anticancer properties. Curcumin, a compound derived from turmeric, holds promise for anticancer development. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. Studies show curcumin and its synthetic analogs can inhibit melanoma cell growth, induce apoptosis, and suppress metastasis by targeting key molecular pathways such as NF-κB, MAPK, and p53. We aimed to develop and evaluate novel curcumin monocarbonyl analogs with various substituents on the aromatic rings. These analogs were synthesized through condensation reactions with multiple benzaldehydes and piperidone in glacial acetic acid or sodium hydroxide. We then investigated the antiproliferative activity of these analogs in MeWo and SK-Mel-30 melanoma cell lines, focusing on their structure-activity relationship (SAR) to identify critical components for antiproliferative and cytotoxic properties while maintaining selectivity. Results indicated that these monocarbonyl curcumin analogs exhibited significant cytotoxicity (IC50 < 1μM). Monoketone curcumin analogs demonstrate considerable potential as therapeutic agents for NRAS mutant melanoma. These compounds show potent anticancer activity, which may be associated with the induction of apoptosis. Ongoing research will further elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying their activity, laying the groundwork for the future development of more effective melanoma treatments.