Novel α-Cyano-Indolyl Chalcones as Anti-Cancer Candidates, Induce G1/S Cell Cycle Arrest and Sequentially Activate Caspases-7, 8, and 9 in Breast Carcinoma

Abstract

Six substituted α-cyano-indolylchalcones have been prepared and their structures were verified by various spectral analysis tools. Compared with the standard drug 5-Fluorouracil) 5-FU(, the anticancer activity against prostate cancer (PC3) and breast cancer cell line (MCF7) was determined using the cytotoxic MTT assay. Also, the cytotoxic effect against normal melanocytes (HFB4) was studied to detect the selectivity of the compounds. Among the series, compound 3e was the most active and selective one toward MCF7 (IC₅₀= 0.18 µmole/mL, SI= 7.6). In silico studies were performed to demonstrate the inhibitory effect of compound 3e on EGFRK, CDK2, and MDM2 domains. Different molecular techniques were performed to know the efficacy of the novel 3e on apoptotic death of breast carcinoma cells.