A small library of spirooxindole-pyrrolidine hybrids have been synthesized for the first time in an ionic liquid, [bmim]Br in good to excellent yields employing a new class of non-stabilized azomethine ylides derived from isatin and tyrosine, a combination that has been rarely employed for the in situ generation of azomethine ylides using [3+2] cycloaddition strategy. Following the synthesis and characterization of the spirooxindole-pyrrolidine heterocyclic hybrids, they were tested for their anticancer activity as against the changes in the concentrations and time periods with different in vitro cell cultures containing cancer and non-cancer cells, where the results revealed for a potential therapeutic activity. Further analysis for the mechanism of cell death by the cancer cells indicated for the caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway, specifically mediated by caspase-3. Based on these results, it can be demonstrated that the synthesized spirooxindole-pyrrolidine hybrids may serve as one of the better therapeutic agents used for the treatment of malignant tumors.
Keywords: Anticancer activity; Apoptosis; Caspase-3; Spirooxindole-pyrrolidine hybrids; [3+2] Cycloaddition.
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