Compounds and methods for treating cancer and inducing apoptosis in unwanted rapidly proliferating cells. The compounds are shown in formula I: wherein X is hydroxyl or amino; Y is carboxyl or sulfonyl; R1, R2, R3, and R4 can be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, halogen, methoxy, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl and combinations thereof, R5, R6, and R7 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, chloro, bromo, nitro, phenyl, amino, methoxy, and combinations thereof, and derivatives or metabolites thereof.