Design, synthesis, biological evaluation and molecular docking studies of new chalcone derivatives containing diaryl ether moiety as potential anticancer agents and tubulin polymerization inhibitors.

A novel series of chalcone derivatives containing diaryl ether moiety (5a-5p) were designed, synthesized and evaluated their anti-tubulin polymerization activities and anticancer activities. Among them, compound 5b with 4-methoxy substitution on right aromatic ring was found to be most active on MCF-7, HepG2 and HCT116 cancer cell lines, with IC50 values of 3.44 ± 0.19, 4.64 ± 0.23, and 6.31 ± 0.27 µM, respectively. In vitro tubulin polymerization assay showed that 5b could effectively inhibit tubulin polymerization. Further mechanism studies revealed that 5b could induce G2/M phase arrest and cell apoptosis. Molecular docking studies revealed that 5b interact and bind at the colchicine binding site of the tubulin.