Novel fused pyran derivatives induce apoptosis and target cell cycle progression in anticancer efficacy against multiple cell lines

Abstract

Nitrogen-based heterocycles such as pyrazole, imidazole, 1,2,4-triazole, benzimidazole, and benzotriazole substituted fused pyran derivatives (6a–e, 8a–e, 10a–e, 12a–e, & 14a–e) have been synthesized and tested for their in vitro anticancer efficacies against MCF7, A549, and HCT116 cancer cell lines. Among the compounds, 6e, 14b, and 8c were identified as the most potent against MCF7, A549, and HCT116, with IC₅₀ values of 12.46 ± 2.72 μM, 0.23 ± 0.12 μM, and 7.58 ± 1.01 μM, respectively. Further studies demonstrated that these compounds can change cellular and nuclear morphology and inhibit colony formation in the tested cancer cells. They also remarkably block/inhibit the cell cycle progression of cancer cells at various phases. DNA damage analysis and apoptosis studies revealed that these compounds have the potential to induce DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis. In silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties of the potent compounds were assessed, revealing that all the compounds exhibited favorable pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties. The potent compounds identified from this study can be considered as a lead for further drug design and development.