Structure-Activity Relationships of Methylquercetin on Anti-migration and Anti-proliferation Activity in B16 Melanoma Cells.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is a malignant skin tumor and quercetin has been reported to inhibit metastasis. A quercetin glycoside and 7 methylquercetins were synthesized from rutin to investigate structure-activity relationships.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the anti-proliferative and anti-migration activity of quercetin glycoside and 7 methylquercetins in murine B16 melanoma cells by commercially available kits. We also examined the effect of these compounds on growth of human fibroblast cells to evaluate cytotoxicity.

RESULTS: 3-O-methylquercetin (2) exhibited 30, 38, 45% migration activity at 25, 12.5, 6.25 μM respectively. Furthermore, 3,4',7-O-trimethylquercetin (5) and 3,4'-O-dimethylquercetin (3) inhibited migration more potent than 2 with no cytotoxicity. 3-hydroxymethylquercetin and quercetin glycoside exhibited no anti-migration activity. Furthermore, the 3 and 4 inhibited melanoma proliferation with no cytotoxicity.

CONCLUSION: The methoxyl group at the C-3 position plays an important role in inhibiting the migration of B16 melanoma cells.