Dihydrotriazine derivatives display high anticancer activity and inducing apoptosis, ROS, and autophagy

A series of dihydrotriazine derivatives bearing 5-aryloxypyrazole moieties were designed, and their anticancer activities against three human cancer cell lines (SGC-7901, HepG-2 and MCF-7) and one non-cancer cell line (LO2) were explored using the MTT assay in vitro. Most of the compounds exhibited potent antiproliferative activities against the three cancer cell lines, with compound 10(e) (IC50 = 2.12 mu M) exhibiting the most potent antiproliferative activity against HepG-2 cells. Interestingly, autophagy was observed in the 10e-treated HepG-2 cells. Compound 10e also increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and resulted in marked HepG-2 cells apoptosis. Further studies revealed that compound 10e could enhance the expression of Cl-PARP, Cl-caspase-3, and Cl-caspase-9. In addition, 10e triggered the formation of autophagosomes by promoting LC3-II and Beclin-1 expression. These results might be useful for exploring and developing dihydrotriazine derivatives as novel anticancer agents.

Automated summary

A series of dihydrotriazine derivatives bearing 5-aryloxypyrazole moieties were designed and their anticancer activities were explored. Compound 10e exhibited the most potent antiproliferative activity against HepG-2 cells and induced autophagy and apoptosis. Further studies revealed enhanced expression of key proteins and autophagosome formation.