One-pot, four-component synthesis of novel cytotoxic agents 1-(5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methanamines

Eur J Med Chem. 2014 May 6:78:151-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2014.03.049. Epub 2014 Mar 16.

Abstract

A series of N-benzyl-1-(5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)-1-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methanamines were synthesized via one-pot reaction of appropriate benzylamine, pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde, (N-isocyanimino)triphenylphosphorane, and a carboxylic acid. The anti-tumor potential of title compounds was tested against several cancer cell lines by using MTT assay. Some tested compounds including 5e, 5p and 5q exhibited comparable or better cytotoxic activity against A549, HT29 or HT1080 cells in comparison to the reference drug doxorubicin. Also, the cytotoxic activity of compounds 5d and 5n against MCF-7 was better than that of doxorubicin. Compound 5n with IC50 value of 4.3 μM was 4-fold more potent than doxorubicin. The structure-activity relationship study revealed that the introduction of halogen atoms on both 5-phenyl ring and N-benzyl part improved the cytotoxic activity against all tested cell lines.

Keywords: 1,3,4-Oxadiazole; Anti-cancer agents; Aza-Wittig reaction; Cytotoxic activity; Multi-component reactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Methylamines / chemical synthesis
  • Methylamines / chemistry
  • Methylamines / pharmacology*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Methylamines