Abstract
In order to develop a potent anti-tumor agent that can target both cancer stem cells and the bulk of tumor cells, a series of 2-((benzimidazol-2-yl)thio)-1-arylethan-1-ones 5a-o was synthesized. All compounds were evaluated for their anti-proliferative activity towards colon HT-29 cancer cell line. In addition, their inhibitory effect against cell surface expression of CD133, a potent cancer stem cells (CSCs) marker, in the same cells was evaluated by flow cytometry at 10 μM. Compound 5l emerged as the most active anti-proliferative analog against HT-29 (IC50 = 18.83 ± 1.37 μM), that almost equipotent as 5-fluorouracil (IC50 = 15.83 ± 1.63 μM) with 50.11 ± 4.05% inhibition effect on CD133 expression, suggested dual targeted effect. Also, compounds 5h, 5j, 5k and 5m-o inhibited the expression of CD133 with more than 50%. The SAR study pointed out the significance of substitution of the pendent phenyl group with lipophilic electron-donating groups or replacing it by 2-thienyl or 2-furyl groups.
2-((Benzimidazol-2-yl)thio)-1-arylethan-1-ones 5a-o were synthesized to evaluate their activities towards colon HT-29 cancer cell line and the cell surface expression of CD133, a potent cancer stem cells (CSCs) marker. [Display omitted]
•A series of 2-((benzimidazol-2-yl)thio)-1-arylethan-1-ones 5a-o was synthesized.•Anti-proliferative activity was assessed against colon HT-29 cancer cell line.•Flow cytometry was carried out for the inhibition of CD133 expression.•Compound 5l was the most active analog towards HT-29 (IC50 = 18.83 ± 1.37 μM).•Compounds 5h and 5j-o inhibited the expression of CD133 with more than 50%.