Benzarone is an EYA (Eyes Absents), multifunctional protein involved in organogenesis, inhibitor which makes it a potent anticancer agent. EYA’s are over expressed in ovarian and breast cancers. As well it is involved in the synthesis of Human Uric Acid Transporter 1 inhibitors which may be used to treat kidney diseases.
ChEBI: Benzarone is a member of 1-benzofurans.
The process of preparation of the 2-ethyl-3-(4'-hydroxybenzoyl)benzofurane includes the next steps:
1. To 1 mol of potassium hydroxide in absolute ethanol is added 1 mole of
salicylic aldehyde. The mixture is brought to boiling point in water bath until
the potassium salt formed is dissolved. One mole of coloroacetone is gradually
added and the solution boiled in a reflux condenser for 2 hours. On cooling
the potassium chloride precipitate is separated off by filtration. The residue is
distilled to give 2-acetyl-1-benzofurane, BP: 135°C/15 mm Hg.
2. It was reduced by hydrazine hydrate in an alkaline medium (by process of
Hyuang-Minlon, J.A.C.S., 1946, 68, 2487) to give 2-ethyl-1-benzofurane BP:
211°-212°C.
3. 2-Ethyl-1-benzofurane is condensed with 2-metoxybenzoyl chloride in the
presence of tin tetrachloride (according to the process described by Bisagni,
J.C.S., 1955, 3694). Thus 2-ethyl-3-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-1-benzofyrane is
obtained. BP: 226°C/15 mm Hg.
4. 1 part of 2-ethyl-3-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-1-benzofyrane is mixed with 2
parts of pyridine hydrochloride and heated at an oil bath at 210°C in N2
current for 1 hour. On cooling 10 parts of 0.5 N HCl are added. A water layer
is mixed with 20 parts of 1% NaOH. The alkaline layer is separated, acidified
with diluted HCl. The dropped precipitate (2-ethyl-3-(4'-hydroxybenzoyl)
benzofurane) is recrystallized from acetic acid. MP: 124.3°C.
Benzarin;Fragivix (r) forte;Vasco.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Benzarone is given by mouth and applied topically for treatment
of various vascular peripheral disorders.The decision to suspend the marketing
authorization results from several reports of toxic hepatitis, including one fatal
case from within Germany. The product remains registered in Italy and France.
Benzarone is an active metabolite of the urate anion transporter 1 (URAT1) inhibitor benzbromarone. It inhibits URAT1 in Xenopus oocytes expressing the human enzyme (IC50 = 2.8 μM). Benzarone also inhibits the tyrosine phosphatase activity of eyes absent homolog 3 (EYA3; IC50 = 17.5 μM), as well as reduces the proliferation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) when used at a concentration of 7.5 μM. It uncouples oxidative phosphorylation in isolated rat liver mitochondria and induces apoptosis and necrosis in isolated rat hepatocytes. Benzarone (25 μg/g) reduces tumor growth in an A-673 Ewing sarcoma mouse xenograft model.
Poison by
intraperitoneal route. An experimental
teratogen. Other experimental reproductive
effects. A flammable liquid. When heated to
decomposition it emits acrid and irritating
smoke and fumes. See also KETONES.
[1] W. STüBER H. M. Determination of benzbromarone, bromobenzarone and benzarone in plasma by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry[J]. Journal of Chromatography B: Biomedical Sciences and Applications, 1981, 224 2: Pages 327-331. DOI:
10.1016/S0378-4347(00)80171-1.
[2] PRISKA KAUFMANN. Mechanisms of benzarone and benzbromarone-induced hepatic toxicity[J]. Hepatology, 2005, 41 4: 925-935. DOI:
10.1002/hep.20634.
[3] RAM NARESH PANDEY. Structure-activity relationships of benzbromarone metabolites and derivatives as EYA inhibitory anti-angiogenic agents.[J]. PLoS ONE, 2013: e84582. DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0084582.
[4] MICHAEL F. WEMPE*. Developing Potent Human Uric Acid Transporter 1 (hURAT1) Inhibitors[J]. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2011, 54 8: 2701-2713. DOI:
10.1021/jm1015022.
