2-(benzyl)-3-arylbenzofurans as antitumour and hypocholesterolemic agents

Abstract

The synthesis and the biological evaluation of a series of basic ethers of 2-benzyl-3-arylbenzofurans as antitumor agents is described. These compounds bind significantly to the antiestrogen-binding sites but only poorly to the estrogen receptor sites and are cytotoxic to tumor cells. Some of these compounds also significantly inhibited de novo cholesterol biosynthesis in an estrogen receptor negative lymphoma cell line rich in antiestrogen-binding sites.