New 1,2,3-triazole linked flavonoid conjugates: Microwave-assisted synthesis, cytotoxic activity and molecular docking studies

Abstract The present study was carried out in an attempt to synthesize, under classical and microwave irradiation conditions, a new class of cytotoxic 1,2,3-triazole linked flavonols hybrids by Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) to afford, in good yields (78-93%), 24 compounds 1′a-i, 2′a-h and 3′a-g, using three previously synthesized highly cytotoxic poly-halogenated flavonoids 1-3. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were established by 1H NMR, Jmod and ESI-HRMS. The prepared cycloadduct linked flavonols were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against the human cell lines HCT-116 (Human colon carcinoma), MCF-7 (Human breast carcinoma) and OVCAR-3 (human ovarian carcinoma). The results showed that the cycloadducts 1′f, 1′g and 2′h against HCT-116 and 1′c, 2′g against OVCAR-3 were found to be the highest cytotoxic agents with IC50 values