Synthesis of 5-fluorouracil co-crystals with novel organic acid as co-formers and its anticancer evaluation against HCT-116 colorectal cell lines

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) being a mainstream anticancer drug is under keen and detailed investigation for prodrugs formulations in order to minimize the associated side effects. Co-crystallization of 5-FU is an innovative technique for the synthesis of 5-FU prodrugs to improve its anticancer effectiveness. The present study is based on the synthesis of 5-FU supramolecular synthons with four co-formers; Succinic acid, cinnamic acid, malic acid and benzoic acid utilizing acetone as a solvent. Solid state grinding followed by slow evaporation solution method was applied. Colorless clear crystals were obtained in all the cases. The co-crystal formation was supported with the help of FTIR and PXRD. Through FTIR, the main peaks of interest in the spectrum of 5-FU, frequency (v) of N-H (3409.02 cm-1) and of carbonyl group (1647.80 cm-1), were prominently shifted in all the spectra of co-crystal demonstrating the replacement as well as the development of already present interactions with new ones. For 5-FU-Cinnamic a...