Design, synthesis, in vitro and in silico evaluation of indole-based tetrazole derivatives as putative anti-breast cancer agents.

ABSTRACT

A series of new indole-tetrazole derivatives were designed and synthesized to develop potential anti-breast cancer agents. The compounds exhibited in vitro anti-proliferative activity against ER-α positive T-47D (IC50 = 3.82-24.43 µM), MCF-7 (IC50 = 3.08-22.65 µM), and ER-α negative MDA-MB-231 (IC50 = 7.69-19.4 µM) human breast cancer cell lines. Compounds 5d and 5f displayed significant anti-proliferative activity compared to bazedoxifene (IC50 = 14.23 ± 0.68 µM), with IC50 values of 10.00 ± 0.59 and 3.83 ± 0.74 µM, respectively, against the ER-α dominant T-47D cell line. Also, both compounds showed non-significant cytotoxicity against normal cells HEK-293. Further, the ER-α binding affinity of 5d and 5f was assessed through a fluorescence polarization-based competitive binding assay, where 5d and 5f have shown significant binding with IC50 = 5.826 and 110.6 nM, respectively, as compared to the standard drug bazedoxifene (IC50 = 339.2 nM). Western blot analysis confirmed that compound 5d reduced ER-α protein expression in T-47D cells, hindering its transactivation and signalling pathways. Additionally, a molecular docking study suggests that compounds 5d and 5f bind in such a fashion that induces conformational changes in the protein, culminating in their antagonistic effect. Pharmacokinetic profiles showed that the compounds possessed drug-like properties. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation studies establish the dynamic stability and conformational behaviour of the ER-α protein and ligand complex of both compounds. Additionally, 5d and 5f ensure biological feasibility as per their DFT analysis through HOMO-LUMO energy gap analysis. In conclusion, compounds 5d and 5f, exhibiting significant ER-α antagonistic activity, can act as potential lead compounds for anti-breast cancer therapies.