Synthesis, Biological Evaluation and Molecular Docking of Novel Indole-Aminoquinazoline Hybrids for Anticancer Properties

Abstract

A series of indole-aminoquinazolines was prepared via amination of the 2-aryl-4-chloroquinazolines with the 7-amino-2-aryl-5-bromoindoles. It was then evaluated for cytotoxicity in vitro against human lung cancer (A549), epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2), hepatocellular carcinoma (C3A), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. A combination on the quinazoline and indole moieties of a 2-phenyl and 2-(4-fluorophenyl) rings in compound <b>4b</b>; 2-(4-fluorophenyl) and 3-chlorophenyl rings in compound <b>4f</b>; or the two 2-(4-fluorophenyl) rings in compound <b>4g</b>, resulted in significant and moderate activity against the Caco-2 and C3A cell lines. The indole-aminoquinazoline hybrids compounds <b>4f</b> and <b>4g</b> induced apoptosis in Caco-2 and C3A cells, and were also found to exhibit moderate (IC₅₀ = 52.5 nM) and significant (IC₅₀ = 40.7 nM) inhibitory activity towards epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) against gefitinib (IC₅₀ = 38.9 nM). Molecular docking suggests that 4a⁻h could bind to the ATP region of EGFR like erlotinib.