The present invention relates to benzylidene indanones of general formula 1. The compounds exhibited tubulin polymerisation inhibition. A series of compounds 2-benzylidene 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) indanones having general formula 1 were synthesized from gallic acid through a chemical process. 2-(3,4-Methylenedioxybenzylidine), 3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl), 4,5,6-trimethoxyindanone (8), a representative compound of this series possessing the molecular formula C29H28O9, was synthesized from gallic acid and exhibits potent anticancer activity. Compound 8 was evaluated for acute oral activity in Swiss albino mice and found to be safe up to 300 mg/kg body weight. The anticancer activity of the compounds has been determined, in order to obtain new potent and cost effective molecules using an in vitro cytotoxicity assay.
