A series of novel galloyl
pyrrolidine derivatives were synthesized as potential anti-
tumor agents. Their inhibiting activities on
gelatinase (MMP-2 and -9) were tested with
succinylated gelatin as the substrate. Structure-activity analyses demonstrate that introduction of longer and more flexible side chains at the C(4) position of the
pyrrolidine ring brings higher activity against
gelatinase. Free
phenol hydroxyl group is more favorable than the methylated one, which confirms the important role of the
phenol hydroxyl group when inhibitors interact with
gelatinase. In particular, (2S,4S)-4-(3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acrylamido)-N-hydroxy-1-(3,4,5- trimethoxybenzoyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide (18) stood out as the most attractive compound (IC(50) = 0.9 nM). The anti-
metastasis model of mice bearing H(22)
tumor cells was used to evaluate their anti-
tumor activities in vivo. The assay in vivo revealed that most of these inhibitors displayed favorable inhibitory activities (inhibitory rate >35%) and no significant toxic effects were observed. The inhibition for 62.37% of 19 indicates the strategy used to design
MMP inhibitors (MMPIs) of galloyl
pyrrolidine derivatives as potential anti-
tumor agents is promising.