Synthesis, Cytotoxicity and Molecular Docking of New Hybrid Compounds by Combination of Curcumin with Oleanolic Acid

Curcumin and oleanolic acid are natural compounds with high potential in medicinal chemistry. These products have been widely studied for their pharmacological properties and have been structurally modified to improve their bioavailability and therapeutic value. In the present study, we discuss how these compounds are utilized to develop bioactive hybrid compounds that are intended to target cancer cells. Using a bifunctional linker, succinic acid, to combine curcumin and triterpenoic oleanolic acid, several hybrid compounds were prepared. Their cytotoxicity against different cancer cell lines was evaluated and compared with the activity of curcumin (the IC50 value (24 h), for MCF7, HeLaWT and HT-29 cancer cells for KS5, KS6 and KS8 compounds was in the range of 20.6-94.4 & mu;M, in comparison to curcumin 15.6-57.2 & mu;M). Additionally, in silico studies were also performed. The computations determined the activity of the tested compounds towards proteins selected due to their similar binding modes and the nature of hydrogen bonds formed within the cavity of ligand-protein complexes. Overall, the curcumin-triterpene hybrids represent an important class of compounds for the development of effective anticancer agents also without the diketone moiety in the curcumin molecule. Moreover, some structural modifications in keto-enol moiety have led to obtaining more information about different chemical and biological activities. Results obtained may be of interest for further research into combinations of curcumin and oleanolic acid derivatives.

Automated summary

In this study, the development of bioactive hybrid compounds targeting cancer cells using curcumin and oleanolic acid was discussed. Several hybrid compounds were synthesized and compared with curcumin. The results showed that these compounds exhibited cytotoxicity against different cancer cell lines and could function as effective anticancer agents even without the diketone structure of curcumin. In addition, molecular simulations confirmed the binding activity and hydrogen bond formation of these compounds. The curcumin-triterpene hybrids provide valuable insights for further research into anticancer combinations of curcumin and oleanolic acid derivatives.