The drug research and development nowadays is focusing on multi-target drugs. In the treatment of cancer, therapies using drugs inhibiting one numerous targets signify a novel viewpoint. In comparison with traditional therapy, multi-targeted drugs directly aim cell subpopulations which are involved in progression of tumor. The current study comprises the synthesis of 34 novel ligustrazine-containing α, β-unsaturated carbonyl-based compounds and oximes. The growth of 5 various cancer cell types was strongly inhibited by ligustrazine-containing oximes as revealed by biological evaluation. A strong SAR was provided by the antiproliferative activity. The mechanistic effects of most active antiproliferative compounds on tubulin polymerization, EGFR TK kinases, KAF and BRAFV600E were investigated, followed by in vitro investigation of reversal of efflux-based resistance developed by cancer cells. EGFR was strongly inhibited by two oximes 7e and 8o. Out of all linkers including positive control, 1-isopropyl-piperidin-4-one linker-bearing compounds showed best inhibition of FAK. The strongest inhibitory activity of BRAFV600E was showed by compound 5e with an IC50 of 0.7 μM. Analogs such as 5 and 7 (b,e,f) exhibited a dual role as anticancer as well as MDR reversal agents. For understanding the target protein integrations with new compounds, molecular docking studies were also carried out.
Keywords: BRAF; Cancer cell lines; Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR); Focal adhesion kinase (FAK); Tubulin polymerization.
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