Novel s-triazine derivatives as potential anticancer agents: Synthesis, DFT, DNA binding, molecular docking, MD simulation and in silico ADMET profiling

The ongoing challenge of cancer in modern medicine highlights the urgent need for targeted therapeutic strategies, particularly against the EGFR/PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathways, which are pivotal in tumorigenesis. This study presents the design, synthesis, characterization, DNA binding studies and computational evaluation of a novel series of trisubstituted s-triazine derivatives 3a–n as potential anticancer agents. The synthetic methodology utilized the reaction of various oxygen-containing nucleophiles with cyanuric chloride via nucleophilic aromatic substitution, yielding the corresponding target products with high yield and purity. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations utilizing the B3LYP level provided insights into the electronic properties of the compounds, with derivatives 3f, 3n, and 3l displaying the lowest energy gaps and highest electrophilicity indices, indicative of their enhanced reactivity. DNA binding results from UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy confirmed the groove mode of binding for the most potent compound 3f with the binding constant (K_b) value of 6.75 × 10⁴ M⁻¹. Molecular docking studies against DNA (PDB ID: 3EY0) and EGFR (PDB ID: 6V6O) revealed strong binding affinities, with compound 3f (R₁= ethoxy, R₂= 3-CF₃) exhibiting a notable binding energy of -8.9 kcal/mol and −9.1 kcal/mol respectively. Additionally, these compounds showed significant binding interactions with PI3K (PDB ID: 5HJB) and mTOR (PDB ID: 4JSV), suggesting their potential as dual inhibitors of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. The drug-likeness and ADMET profiles further support the therapeutic promise of compound 3f bearing a 3-trifluoromethyl substituent.