Design and synthesis of thiadiazolo-carboxamide bridged β-carboline-indole hybrids: DNA intercalative topo-IIα inhibition with promising antiproliferative activity

The conjoining of salient pharmacophoric properties directing the development of prominent cytotoxic agents was executed by constructing thiadiazolo-carboxamide bridged β-carboline-indole hybrids. On the evaluation of in vitro cytotoxic potential, 12c exhibited prodigious cytotoxicity among the synthesized new molecules 12a–k, with an IC(50) < 5 μM in all the tested cancer cell lines (A549, MDA-MB-231, BT-474, HCT-116, THP-1) and the best cytotoxic potential was expressed in lung cancer cell line (A549) with an IC(50) value of 2.82 ± 0.10 μM. Besides, another compound 12a also displayed impressive cytotoxicity against A549 cell line (IC(50): 3.00 ± 1.40 μM). Further target-based assay of these two compounds 12c and 12a revealed their potential as DNA intercalative topoisomerase-IIα inhibitors. Additionally, the antiproliferative activity of compound 12c was measured in A549 cells by traditional apoptosis assays revealing the nuclear, morphological alterations, and depolarization of membrane potential in mitochondria and externalization of phosphatidylserine in a concentration-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis unveiled the G0/G1 phase inhibition and wound healing assay inferred the inhibition of in vitro cell migration by compound 12c in lung cancer cells. Remarkably, the safety profile of compound 12c was disclosed by screening against normal human lung epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B: IC(50): 71.2 ± 7.95 μM) with a selectivity index range of 14.9–25.26. Moreover, Molecular modeling studies affirm the intercalative binding of compound 12c and 12a in the active pocket of topo-IIα. Furthermore, in silico prediction of physico-chemical parameters divulged the propitious drug-like properties of the synthesized derivatives.