Synthesis of New Indole-Containing Benzo[f]coumarin Derivatives and Their Effect on the Proliferation and Redox State of Rat C6 Glioma Cells

Modification of 2-acetyl-3H-benzo[f]chromen-3-one and 2-[(2E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoyl]-3H-benzo[f]chromen-3-one has been performed for the first time via the reaction with indole. The resulting benzo­[f]coumarins have been found to exhibit antioxidant properties in model systems: they react with hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite and regulate redox state of rat C6 glioma cells, which is reflected in reduced concentration of intracellular hydrogen peroxide and increased level of reduced glutathione. The synthesized compounds in the presence of exogenous hydrogen peroxide exert a protective effect on the cells, acting as antioxidants and restoring the redox balance. 2-[3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-3-phenylpropanoyl]-3H-benzo[f]khromen-3-one at a micromolar concentrations inhibited the rat C6 glioma cell proliferation by 25–35%.