Synthesis and Anticancer Evaluation of Novel Indole Based Arylsulfonylhydrazides against Human Breast Cancer Cells

Rongalite induced metal-free C(sp2)-H functionalization of indoles: direct access to 3-(sulfonylmethyl) indoles

A rongalite-induced C(sp2)-H functionalization reaction has been developed for the synthesis of 3-(phenylsulfonylmethyl) indole derivatives from indole and arylsulfonyl hydrazides. This regioselective C-H functionalization provides a wide range of C-3 sulfonylmethyl indoles with upto 90% yields. Here, rongalite functions as a C1 unit source and a single electron donor. The use of inexpensive rongalite (ca. $0.03 per 1 g), mild reaction conditions and gram-scale synthesis are some of the key features of this methodology.

Indole Derivatives: A Versatile Scaffold in Modern Drug Discovery-An Updated Review on Their Multifaceted Therapeutic Applications (2020-2024)

Indole derivatives have become an important class of compounds in medicinal chemistry, recognized for their wide-ranging biological activities and therapeutic potential. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the evaluation of indole-based compounds in the last five years, highlighting their roles in cancer treatment, infectious disease management, anti-inflammatory therapies, metabolic disorder interventions, and neurodegenerative disease management. Indole derivatives have shown significant efficacy in targeting diverse biological pathways, making them valuable scaffolds in designing new drugs. Notably, these compounds have demonstrated the ability to combat drug-resistant cancer cells and pathogens, a significant breakthrough in the field, and offer promising therapeutic options for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. By summarizing recent key findings and exploring the underlying biological mechanisms, this review underscores the potential of indole derivatives in addressing major healthcare challenges, thereby instilling hope and optimism in the field of modern medicine.

Simultaneous detection of cysteine and glutathione in food with a two-channel near-infrared fluorescent probe

L-Cysteine (Cys) and glutathione (GSH) are closely related biological species that widely exist in food and living cells. To simultaneously detect Cys and GSH from different emission channels, we developed a fluorescent probe (BDP-NBD) based on near-infrared BODIPY and 7-nitrobenzofurazan (NBD). Upon nucleophilic substitution reaction with GSH, BDP-NBD generated an emission band at 713 nm, which can be used to determine GSH (0-100 μM) with a low detection limit (34 nM). Different from GSH, BDP-NBD underwent a nucleophilic substitution-rearrangement reaction with Cys, affording two emission bands at 550 nm and 713 nm, respectively. BDP-NBD was successfully employed to quantify Cys and GSH in various food samples with good recoveries (86.6%-104.6%). Besides, BDP-NBD can image Cys and GSH in living cells from two emission channels. Therefore, this work developed a tool for the simultaneous determination of Cys and GSH in both food and living cells so as to ensure food safety and human health.

Identification potential biomarkers for diagnosis, and progress of breast cancer by using high-pressure photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

BACKGROUND

In this study, exhaled breath testing has been considered a promising method for the detection and monitoring of breast cancer (BC).

METHODS

A high-pressure photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPPI-TOFMS) platform was used to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath samples. Then, machine learning (ML) models were constructed on VOCs for the diagnosis of BC and its progression monitoring. Ultimately, 1981 women with useable breath samples were included in the study, of whom 937 (47.3 %) had been diagnosed with BC. VOC panels were used for ML model construction for BC detection and progression monitoring.

RESULTS

On the blinded testing cohort, this VOC-based model successfully differentiated patients with and without BC with sensitivity, specificity, and area under receiver operator characteristic curve (AUC) values of 85.9 %, 90.4 %, and 0.946. The corresponding AUC values when differentiating between patients with and without lymph node metastasis (LNM) or between patients with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage 0/I/II or III/IV disease were 0.840 and 0.708, respectively. While developed VOC-based models exhibited poor performance when attempting to differentiate between patients based on pathological patterns (Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) vs Invasive BC (IBC)) or molecular subtypes (Luminal vs Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2+) vs Triple-negative BC (TNBC)) of BC.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, the HPPI-TOFMS-based breathomics approaches may offer value for the detection and progression monitoring of BC. Additional research is necessary to explore the fundamental mechanisms of the identified VOCs.

Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of [Cu(H2 L)2(μ-Cl)CuCl3]·H2O [H2 L = 2-hy-droxy-N'-(propan-2-yl-idene)benzohydrazide]

The present study focuses on the synthesis and structural characterization of a novel dinuclear CuII complex, [tri-chlorido-copper(II)]-μ-chlorido-{bis-[2-hy-droxy-N'-(propan-2-yl-idene)benzohydrazide]copper(II)} monohydrate, [Cu2Cl4(C10H12N2O2)2]·H2O or [Cu(H2 L)2(μ-Cl)CuCl3]·H2O [H2 L = 2-hy-droxy-N'-(propan-2-yl-idene)benzohydrazide]. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with one mol-ecule of water, which forms inter-actions with the ligands. The first copper ion is penta-coordinated to two benzohydrazine-derived ligands via two nitro-gen and two oxygen atoms, and one bridging chloride, which is also coordinated by the second copper ion alongside three terminal chlorines in a distorted tetra-hedral geometry. The arrangement around the first copper ion exhibits a distorted geometry inter-mediate between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal. In the crystal, chains are formed via inter-molecular inter-actions along the a-axis direction, with subsequent layers constructed through hydrogen-bonding inter-actions parallel to the ac plane, and through slipped π-π stacking inter-actions parallel to the ab plane, resulting in a three-dimensional network. The inter-molecular inter-actions in the crystal structure were qu-anti-fied and analysed using Hirshfeld surface analysis. Residual electron density from disordered methanol mol-ecules in the void space could not be reasonably modelled, thus a solvent mask was applied.

Indole Compounds in Oncology: Therapeutic Potential and Mechanistic Insights

Cancer remains a formidable global health challenge, with current treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and targeted therapy often hindered by low efficacy and adverse side effects. The indole scaffold, a prominent heterocyclic structure, has emerged as a promising candidate in the fight against cancer. This review consolidates recent advancements in developing natural and synthetic indolyl analogs, highlighting their antiproliferative activities against various cancer types over the past five years. These analogs are categorized based on their efficacy against common cancer types, supported by biochemical assays demonstrating their antiproliferative properties. In this review, emphasis is placed on elucidating the mechanisms of action of these compounds. Given the limitations of conventional cancer therapies, developing targeted therapeutics with enhanced selectivity and reduced side effects remains a critical focus in oncological research.

Synthesis of Indole-Linked Thiadiazoles and their Anticancer Action against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

With a lack of targeted therapy and significantly high metastasis, heterogeneity, and relapse rates, Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) offers substantial treatment challenges and demands more chemotherapeutic interventions. In the present study, indole-endowed thiadiazole derivatives have been synthesized and screened for antiproliferative potency against the triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line. Compound 4 h, possessing chlorophenyl moiety, displays the best anticancer potency (IC50: 0.43 μM) in the cell viability assay. The title compounds demonstrate substantial docking competency against the EGFR receptor (PDB ID: 3POZ), validating their in-vitro ant proliferative action. With a high docking score (-9.9 to -8.7 kcal/mol), the indole hybrids display significant binding propensity comparable to the co-crystallized ligand TAK-285 and occupy a similar strategic position in the active domain of the designated receptor. The quantum and electronic properties of the integrated templates are evaluated through DFT, and optimal values of the deduced global reactivity indices, such as energy gap, electronegativity, ionization potential, chemical potential, electrophilicity, etc., suggest their apt biochemical reactivity. The indole hybrids show near-appropriate pharmacokinetic efficacy and bioavailability in the in-silico studies, indicating their candidacy for potential drug usage. Promising in-vitro anticancer action and binding interfaces project indole conjugates as potential leads in addressing the TNBC dilemma.

Microwave-induced one-pot synthesis of 3-imidazolyl indole clubbed 1,2,3-triazole hybrids as antiproliferative agents and density functional theory study

Herein, we outline a highly efficient PEG-4000-mediated one-pot three-component reaction for the synthesis of 3-imidazolyl indole clubbed 1,2,3-triazole derivatives (5a-r) at up to 96% yield as antiproliferative agents. This three-component protocol offers the advantages of an environmentally benign reaction, excellent yield, quick response time, and operational simplicity triggered by the copper catalyst under microwave irradiation. All the synthesized compounds were tested for antiproliferative activity against six human solid tumor cell lines, that is, A549 and SW1573 (nonsmall cell lung), HBL100 and T-47D (breast), HeLa (cervix), and WiDr (colon). Among them, six compounds, 5g-j, 5m, and 5p, demonstrated effective antiproliferative action with GI50 values under 10 μM. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for all the synthesized molecules through geometry optimizations, frontier molecular orbital approach, and molecular electrostatic potential (MESP). The theoretical DFT calculation was performed using the DFT/B3LYP/6-31+G (d,p) basis set. Moreover, the biological reactivity of all the representative synthesized molecules was compared with the theoretically calculated quantum chemical descriptors and MESP 3D plots. We also investigated the drug-likeness characteristic and absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) prediction. In general, our approach enables environmentally friendly access to 3-imidazolyl indole clubbed 1,2,3-triazole derivatives as prospective antiproliferative agents.

Recent Development in the Search for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Inhibitors based on the Indole Pharmacophore

The signal transduction and cell proliferation are regulated by the epidermal growth factor receptor. The proliferation of tumor cells, apoptosis, invasion, and angiogenesis is inhibited by the epidermal growth factor receptor. Thus, breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, cervical cancer, glioma, and bladder cancer can be treated by targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor. Although third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors are potent drugs, patients exhibit drug resistance after treatment. Thus, the search for new drugs is being continued. Among the different potent epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, we have reviewed the indole-based inhibitors. We have discussed the structure-activity relationship of the compounds with the active sites of the epidermal growth factor receptor receptors, their synthesis, and molecular docking studies.

The anti-breast cancer potential of indole/isatin hybrids

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent malignancies and the major contributor to cancer mortality in women globally, with a high degree of heterogeneity and a dismal prognosis. As drug resistance is responsible for most BC fatalities and advanced BC is currently considered incurable, finding innovative anti-BC chemotherapeutics is urgently required. Indole and its analog isatin (indole-1H-2,3-dione) are prominent pharmacophores in the development of novel medications, and their derivatives exhibit strong anticancer activities, also against BC. In particular, indole/isatin hybrids exhibit significant potency against BC including multidrug-resistant forms and excellent selectivity by influencing a variety of biological targets associated with the disease, supplying helpful building blocks for the identification of potential new BC treatment options. This review includes articles from 2020 to the present and provides insights into the in vitro and in vivo anti-BC potential, molecular mechanisms, and structure-activity relationships (SARs) of indole/isatin hybrids that may be helpful in the development of innovative anti-BC chemotherapeutics.

Indole derivatives targeting colchicine binding site as potential anticancer agents

Microtubules are appealing as intracellular targets for anticancer activity due to their importance in cell division. Three important binding sites are present on the tubulin protein: taxane, vinca, and colchicine binding sites (CBS). Many USFDA-approved drugs such as paclitaxel, ixabepilone, vinblastine, and combretastatin act by altering the dynamics of the microtubules. Additionally, a large number of compounds have been synthesized by medicinal chemists around the globe that target different tubulin binding sites. Although CBS inhibitors have proved their cytotoxic potential, no CBS-targeting drug had been able to reach the market. Several studies have reported design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of indole derivatives as potential anticancer agents. These compounds have been shown to inhibit cancer cell proliferation, induce apoptosis, and disrupt microtubule formation. Moreover, the binding affinity of these compounds to the CBS has been demonstrated using molecular docking studies and competitive binding assays. The present work has reviewed indole derivatives as potential colchicine-binding site inhibitors. The structure-activity relationship studies have revealed the crucial pharmacophoric features required for the potent and selective binding of indole derivatives to the CBS. The development of these compounds with improved efficacy and reduced toxicity could potentially lead to the development of novel and effective cancer therapies.

Novel Arylsulfonylhydrazones as Breast Anticancer Agents Discovered by Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships

Breast cancer (BC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in women, with more than 600,000 deaths annually. Despite the progress that has been made in early diagnosis and treatment of this disease, there is still a significant need for more effective drugs with fewer side effects. In the present study, we derive QSAR models with good predictive ability based on data from the literature and reveal the relationships between the chemical structures of a set of arylsulfonylhydrazones and their anticancer activity on human ER+ breast adenocarcinoma and triple-negative breast (TNBC) adenocarcinoma. Applying the derived knowledge, we design nine novel arylsulfonylhydrazones and screen them in silico for drug likeness. All nine molecules show suitable drug and lead properties. They are synthesized and tested in vitro for anticancer activity on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Most of the compounds are more active than predicted and show stronger activity on MCF-7 than on MDA-MB-231. Four of the compounds (1a, 1b, 1c, and 1e) show IC50 values below 1 μM on MCF-7 and one (1e) on MDA-MB-231. The presence of an indole ring bearing 5-Cl, 5-OCH3, or 1-COCH3 has the most pronounced positive effect on the cytotoxic activity of the arylsulfonylhydrazones designed in the present study.