The critical role of novel benzophenone analogs on tumor growth inhibition targeting angiogenesis and apoptosis

Abstract

In modern biology, one of the major topics of importance is progress in anti-cancer drugs with specific targets. The angiopreventive and in vitro tumor inhibition activities of novel synthetic benzophenone analogs have been investigated intensively and explored in a very systematic way. Novel benzophenone analogs (9a–d and 10a–d) substituted with methyl, chloro and fluoro groups at different positions on an identical chemical backbone and incorporating variations in the number of substituents have been synthesized in a multistep process and characterized. In this study, we further evaluate the newly synthesized compounds for their cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects against A549, HeLa and MCF-7 cells. The potent lead compound was further assessed for anti-angiogenic effects. Through the structure–activity relationship, we found that an increase in the number of methyl, chloro and fluoro groups in a benzophenone ring on compound 9d resulted in higher potency compared to other compounds. Tumor inhibition was notably promoted, and this was reflected in effects on neovessel formation in in vivo systems, such as the CAM. Compound 9d interacts with rVEGF through hydrogen bonds in silico, thereby down-regulating the expression of VEGF in angiogenesis. From our investigation, it is suggested on the basis of clonogenesis and cell migration assays that compound 9d has the potency to exhibit prolonged activity against cancer progression, through cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. In addition, compound 9d inhibits A549 cells through caspase-activated DNase-mediated apoptosis.