ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of (iso)quinoline-1,2,3-triazole derivatives as anticancer agents

Sewan Theeramunkong, Chirattikan Maicheen, Rinnara Krongsil, Waritsara Chaichanasap, Rathapon Asasutjarit, and Opa Vajragupta

Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Thammasat University Research Unit in Drug, Health Product Development and Application (DHP-DA), Thammasat University, Klong Luang, Thailand

E-mail: sewan@tu.ac.th

Received: 12 October 2021  Accepted: 17 February 2022

Abstract:

Two series of triazole derivatives were designed and synthesized as potential anticancer agents. A series of eighteen novel 1,2,3-triazole derivatives were synthesized through copper catalyzed click reaction. The compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity activity against HepG2, HeLa cell and HEK293 cell lines using MTT assay. The results showed that compounds 10 and 11 were the most potent compounds against HepG2 cell with IC₅₀ values 9.6 and 13.3 μM, respectively. Additionally, the compounds 10 and 11 were the most potent compounds against HeLa cell with IC₅₀ values 5.7 and 5.8 μM, respectively. The results of tubulin polymerization assay demonstrated that lead compound 2 and compound 10 could inhibit in vitro tubulin polymerization. In addition, a mechanism study displayed that 10 blocked cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase. Furthermore, a molecular docking study demonstrated that 10 can bind to the colchicine site of tubulin and form hydrogen bonds in the active site of β-tubulin. In summary, our study recommends a promising isoquinoline-triazole scaffold for further development as more efficient microtubule polymerization inhibitors in the field of cancer treatment.

Graphical abstract

Keywords: Antimitotic; Cancer; Isoquinoline; Synthesis; 1,2,3-Triazole

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-022-02140-0

Chemical Papers 76 (6) 3971–3985 (2022)