Microtubules are composed of a- and b-tubulin heterodimers
which are in constant dynamic interaction. They are key components
of the cytoskeleton and are deeply involved in cell division
and mitosis. Over the last two decades, several anticancer agents
were developed targeting the tubulin polymerization of endothelial
cells of neovessels formed during the tumoral process [1]. They can
act as antiangiogenics by preventing the formation of tumor
vasculature, or as vascular disrupting agents, such as
combretastatin A4 and analogs, able to compromise selectively
established tumor vasculature [2]. In this case, exploitation of the
differences between normal and immature tumor blood vessels
leads to hemorrhagic necrosis within the tumors.
The protozoal cytoskeleton is also deeply involved in the successive
steps of the life cycle of parasite species [3e5]. The high
mortality and morbidity rate caused by malaria, sleeping sickness
and leishmaniasis in developing countries makes the fight against
these parasitic infections a priority in public health policy.
Some natural flavonoids have previously been shown to possess
antiangiogenic, antivascular, anti-proliferative, anti-plasmodial,
trypanocidal and leishmanicidal properties [6e16]. In this context,
the aim of this studywas to further explore some of these biological
activities of flavone derivatives exhibiting rare substitution