Facile synthesis of micellar "nano" indole heterocyclic anti-cancer compounds is described. The synthesized compounds (11-23) were characterized by UV-VIS, 1H NMR, FT-IR and mass spectroscopy. The binding energies of DNA-compound adducts varied from -20.08 to -23.85 kJ mol-1, and they were stabilized by hydrophobic interactions and H-bonding. The synthesized compounds enter into minor grooves of DNA during adduct formation. The DNA binding constant of compounds 11-23 was 1.00 to 2.00 × 105 M-1. The drug-loading efficiency and drug-loading content in their micellar forms were recorded. Compounds 11, 12, 14 and 19 at a micellar concentration of 670 μL mL-1 displayed excellent anticancer activities against the HepG2/C3A line (25-50%). The potency of nano anticancer drugs was predicted by drug likeness using Lipinski's "rule of five". Taken together, compounds 11-23 could be used to treat cancers.
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