Squaramides with cytotoxic activity against human gastric carcinoma cells HGC-27: synthesis and mechanism of action

Abstract

A series of squaramates and squaramides have been synthesized and their cytotoxic activity has been investigated in different cancer cell lines. Among the studied compounds, squaramide 34 showed a potent and selective cytotoxicity against the human gastric cancer cell line HGC-27. Studies directed to elucidate the mechanism of induced cell death were performed. Cell cycle distribution analysis and cell death studies showed that compound 34 induces cell cycle arrest at the G₁ phase and caspase-dependent apoptosis. In conclusion, squaramide 34 can be considered a potential anticancer agent for gastric carcinoma.