Synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular docking investigation of 3-amidoindoles as potent tubulin polymerization inhibitors.

A series of novel 3-amidoindole derivatives possessing 3,4,5-trimethoxylphenyl groups were synthesized and evaluated for their antiproliferative and tubulin polymerization inhibitory activities. Some of them demonstrated moderate to potent activities in vitro against six cancer cell lines including MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, BT549, T47D, MDA-MB-468, and HS578T. The most active compound 27 inhibited the growth of T47D, BT549, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines with IC values at 0.04, 3.17, and 6.43 μM, respectively. Moreover, the flow cytometric analysis clearly revealed that compound 27 significantly inhibited growth of breast cancer cells through arresting cell cycle in G2/M phase via a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, the compound also exhibited the most potent anti-tubulin activity with IC values of 9.5 μM, which was remarkable, compared to CA-4. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis demonstrated the interaction of the compound 27 at the colchicine-binding site of tubulin. These preliminary results suggest that compound 27 is a very promising tubulin-binding agent and is worthy of further investigation aiming to the development of new potential anticancer agents.