Design, synthesis and antiproliferative screening of newly synthesized acrylate derivatives as potential anticancer agents

A new series of acrylic acid and acrylate ester derivatives as modified analogs of tubulin polymerization inhibitors were designed and synthesized. The antiproliferative activity of the constructed molecules was investigated against MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells using CA-4 as positive molecule. Methyl acrylate ester 6e emerged as the most potent cytotoxic agent against MCF-7 cells, with an IC50 value of 2.57 +/- 0.16 mu M. Also, methyl acrylate ester molecule 6e showed good beta-tubulin polymerization inhibition activity. Cellular cycle analysis showed that compound 6e can arrest MCF-7 cells at the G2/M phase. In addition, this compound produced a significant increase in apoptotic power as compared to control untreated MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the effect of acrylate ester 6e on the gene expression levels of p53, Bax and Bcl-2 was investigated. This molecule increased the expression levels of both p53 and Bax, and decreased the gene expression level of Bcl-2 as compared to control untreated MCF-7 carcinoma cells.

Automated summary

A new series of acrylic acid and acrylate ester derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. Methyl acrylate ester 6e showed the highest cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of 2.57 +/- 0.16 mu M and exhibited inhibition of beta-tubulin polymerization. Compound 6e arrested MCF-7 cells at the G2/M phase and enhanced apoptotic power, while also affecting the gene expression levels of p53, Bax, and Bcl-2.