Synthesis and biological evaluation of benzofuran-based 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzamide derivatives as novel tubulin polymerization inhibitors

Bioorg Chem. 2020 Sep:102:104076. doi: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104076. Epub 2020 Jul 7.

Abstract

A new series of derivatives characterized by the presence of the 3,4,5-trimethoxylbenzamide substituted benzofurans were synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity against four cancer cell lines and one normal human cell line. Among them, derivative 6g with greatest cytotoxicity significantly inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231, HCT-116, HT-29 and HeLa cell lines with IC50 values of 3.01, 5.20, 9.13, and 11.09 μM, respectively. Importantly, 6g possessed excellent selectivity over non-tumoral cell lines HEK-293 (IC50 > 30 μM). Moreover, mechanistic studies revealed that 6g induced HeLa cells arrested in G2/M phase in a concentration-dependent manner, and inhibited polymerization of tubulin via a consistent way with CA-4. In general, these observations suggest that 6g is a promising anti-cancer lead and is worth further investigation to generate potential antitumor agents.

Keywords: 3-amidobenzofurans; Antiproliferative activity; Microtubules; Synthesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Benzamides / chemical synthesis*
  • Benzamides / pharmacology
  • Benzamides / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Design
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Polymerization / drug effects*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tubulin / chemistry*
  • Tubulin Modulators / pharmacology
  • Tubulin Modulators / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Benzamides
  • Tubulin
  • Tubulin Modulators
  • 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzamide