Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of the Dihydroartemisinin Ester of 1,1′-Ferrocenedicarboxylic Acid

The synthesis of the dihydroartemisinin ester of 1,1′-ferrocenedicarboxylic acid (III) is described. Results of in vitro studies of its effect on the viability of cell cultures of fibroblasts and tumor cells (K562, HEp-2, HeLa) are presented. The selectivity of III at a concentration of 125 μM was 1.2 times greater for myelogenous leukemia cells (K562) than for fibroblasts, indicating that its antiproliferative activity against tumor cells was selective and that in vivo studies of antitumor compound III were feasible, especially for cases of iron-deficiency anemia.