N-(5-(Trifluoromethyl)-1,3,4-Thiadiazol-2-Yl)Benzamide and Benzothioamide Derivatives Induce Apoptosis Via Caspase-Dependent Pathway

New 1,3,4-thiadiazole-based compounds were designed, synthesized, and their anticancer effects were assessed by MTT assay against PC3 (prostate cancer), HT-29 (colon cancer), and SKNMC (neuroblastoma) cell lines. The results were compared to that of doxorubicin. According to MTT assay, some of the synthesized compounds exhibit higher cytotoxic activity (IC 50 , μM range) than doxorubicin against PC3 and SKNMC cells but not HT29 cells. According to the analysis of structure – activity relationship, compounds with methoxy group as an electron donating moiety rendered higher activity than nitro group as an electron withdrawing group. Compound 4d with ortho position of methoxy moiety activated caspases 3 and 9 in both PC3 and HT-29 cell lines.