DNA Fragmentation, Cell Cycle Arrest, and Docking Study of Novel Bis Spiro-cyclic 2-oxindole of Pyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline-4,6-dione Derivatives Against Breast Carcinoma

Abstract

Background: Recently, it is reported that heterocycles containing pyrimidoquinoline moiety show a broad spectrum of medicinal and pharmacological properties including anticancer, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory activities, analgesic and antiviral. In additions, spirocyclicoxindole containing compounds represent an important class of compounds that exhibit wide range of biological properties. The asymmetric chiral spiro carbon is considered to be the main criteria of the bioactivities. Spirooxindole structures represent the main skeleton for various alkaloids and pharmaceutically important compounds. Among them, the naturally occurring pyrrolidinylespirooxindole alkaloid, horsifiline that exhibits anticancer activity against human brain cancer cell lines.

Objective: The objective of this study is the synthesis of novel bis spiro-cyclic 2-oxindole of pyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline derivatives and evaluate the anticancer activity of new compounds for synergistic purpose. Different genetic tools were used in an attempt to know the mechanism of action of this compound against breast cancer.

Method: An efficient one pot synthesis of bis spiro-cyclic 2-oxindole derivatives of pyrimido[4,5- b]quinoline-4,6-dione using 6-aminouracil, bis-isatin and dimedone has been developed. The cytotoxic effect against different human cell lines MCF7, HCT116 and A549 cell lines was evaluated. The derivative 6a, was found the most encouraging compound in this series and it was selected for molecular studies against MCF7.

Results: Our data indicated that compound 6a is an attractive target for breast cancer, as it inhibits proliferation, cell cycle progression and induces apoptosis of tumor cells. This inhibition is mediated by fragmentation of genomic DNA, up-regulation of [caspase-3, tumor suppressor gene p53, and pro-apoptotic gene BAX], and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic BCL2 gene. In additions it caused cell cycle arrest in S phase. This work provides an evidence of the potent effect of the new compound 6a and assists in the progress of new healing agents for cancer.

Conclusion: We have developed an efficient method for the synthesis of novel bioactive bis spirocyclic 2-oxindole derivatives incorporating pyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline derivatives. Most of our new derivatives give potent cytotoxic effect more than the standard drug Fluorouracil (5-FU) especially, compound 6a which was the most active and promising one in this series against MCF7, HCT116, and A549 cell lines.

Keywords: Apoptosis; BAX; BCL2; Bis spiro-cyclic 2-oxindole; Caspases-3; Cell cycle arrest; Cytotoxic effect; DNA fragmentation; P53; Pyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline-4,6-dione..