Exploring the Anticancer Properties of 1,2,3-Triazole-Substituted Andrographolide Derivatives

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The search for new anticancer agents from natural sources remains a key strategy in drug discovery. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate novel triazole derivatives of the diterpenic lactone andrographolide for their antiproliferative activity against...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Joana R. L. Ribeiro, Juliana Calheiros, Rita A. M. Silva, Bruno M. F. Gonçalves, Carlos A. M. Afonso, Lucília Saraiva, Maria-José U. Ferreira
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Pharmaceuticals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/5/750
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849327054194999296
author Joana R. L. Ribeiro
Juliana Calheiros
Rita A. M. Silva
Bruno M. F. Gonçalves
Carlos A. M. Afonso
Lucília Saraiva
Maria-José U. Ferreira
author_facet Joana R. L. Ribeiro
Juliana Calheiros
Rita A. M. Silva
Bruno M. F. Gonçalves
Carlos A. M. Afonso
Lucília Saraiva
Maria-José U. Ferreira
author_sort Joana R. L. Ribeiro
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives</b>: The search for new anticancer agents from natural sources remains a key strategy in drug discovery. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate novel triazole derivatives of the diterpenic lactone andrographolide for their antiproliferative activity against various cancer cell lines. <b>Methods</b>: Twenty-two new triazole derivatives (<b>5</b>–<b>26</b>), of the triacetyl derivative (<b>2</b>) of the diterpenic lactone andrographolide (<b>1</b>), were synthesized via the azide-alkyne “click reaction”. The antiproliferative effects of compounds <b>1</b>–<b>26</b> were evaluated using the sulforhodamine B assay against a panel of cancer cell lines and a non-tumorigenic colon cell line. A representative compound, triazole derivative <b>12</b>, was further evaluated in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PANC-1) cells for its effects on the cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and drug synergy with 5-fluorouracil. <b>Results</b>: Several compounds, specifically, <b>9</b>, <b>14</b>, <b>16,</b> and <b>17</b>, bearing a phenyl moiety, exhibited improved antiproliferative activity compared to the parental compound <b>1</b>. Derivative <b>12</b>, selected for further investigation, induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, this compound significantly reduced cell migration and demonstrated synergistic effects with 5-fluorouracil in PANC-1 cells. <b>Conclusions</b>: The synthesized andrographolide-based triazole derivatives, particularly compound <b>12</b>, showed promising antiproliferative activity and mechanisms relevant to cancer therapy. These findings support their potential as lead compounds for further development in anticancer research.
format Article
id doaj-art-ffca8ebe15b94971b1d3ffaae9a2e40d
institution Kabale University
issn 1424-8247
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Pharmaceuticals
spelling doaj-art-ffca8ebe15b94971b1d3ffaae9a2e40d2025-08-20T03:47:58ZengMDPI AGPharmaceuticals1424-82472025-05-0118575010.3390/ph18050750Exploring the Anticancer Properties of 1,2,3-Triazole-Substituted Andrographolide DerivativesJoana R. L. Ribeiro0Juliana Calheiros1Rita A. M. Silva2Bruno M. F. Gonçalves3Carlos A. M. Afonso4Lucília Saraiva5Maria-José U. Ferreira6Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, PortugalLAQV/REQUIMTE-Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, PortugalLAQV/REQUIMTE-Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, PortugalResearch Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, PortugalResearch Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, PortugalLAQV/REQUIMTE-Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE), Laboratory of Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, PortugalResearch Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The search for new anticancer agents from natural sources remains a key strategy in drug discovery. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate novel triazole derivatives of the diterpenic lactone andrographolide for their antiproliferative activity against various cancer cell lines. <b>Methods</b>: Twenty-two new triazole derivatives (<b>5</b>–<b>26</b>), of the triacetyl derivative (<b>2</b>) of the diterpenic lactone andrographolide (<b>1</b>), were synthesized via the azide-alkyne “click reaction”. The antiproliferative effects of compounds <b>1</b>–<b>26</b> were evaluated using the sulforhodamine B assay against a panel of cancer cell lines and a non-tumorigenic colon cell line. A representative compound, triazole derivative <b>12</b>, was further evaluated in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PANC-1) cells for its effects on the cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, and drug synergy with 5-fluorouracil. <b>Results</b>: Several compounds, specifically, <b>9</b>, <b>14</b>, <b>16,</b> and <b>17</b>, bearing a phenyl moiety, exhibited improved antiproliferative activity compared to the parental compound <b>1</b>. Derivative <b>12</b>, selected for further investigation, induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, this compound significantly reduced cell migration and demonstrated synergistic effects with 5-fluorouracil in PANC-1 cells. <b>Conclusions</b>: The synthesized andrographolide-based triazole derivatives, particularly compound <b>12</b>, showed promising antiproliferative activity and mechanisms relevant to cancer therapy. These findings support their potential as lead compounds for further development in anticancer research.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/5/750andrographolide1,2,3-triazole-substituted derivativesantiproliferativeapoptosiscell cycle arrestantimigratory
spellingShingle Joana R. L. Ribeiro
Juliana Calheiros
Rita A. M. Silva
Bruno M. F. Gonçalves
Carlos A. M. Afonso
Lucília Saraiva
Maria-José U. Ferreira
Exploring the Anticancer Properties of 1,2,3-Triazole-Substituted Andrographolide Derivatives
Pharmaceuticals
andrographolide
1,2,3-triazole-substituted derivatives
antiproliferative
apoptosis
cell cycle arrest
antimigratory
title Exploring the Anticancer Properties of 1,2,3-Triazole-Substituted Andrographolide Derivatives
title_full Exploring the Anticancer Properties of 1,2,3-Triazole-Substituted Andrographolide Derivatives
title_fullStr Exploring the Anticancer Properties of 1,2,3-Triazole-Substituted Andrographolide Derivatives
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the Anticancer Properties of 1,2,3-Triazole-Substituted Andrographolide Derivatives
title_short Exploring the Anticancer Properties of 1,2,3-Triazole-Substituted Andrographolide Derivatives
title_sort exploring the anticancer properties of 1 2 3 triazole substituted andrographolide derivatives
topic andrographolide
1,2,3-triazole-substituted derivatives
antiproliferative
apoptosis
cell cycle arrest
antimigratory
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/18/5/750
work_keys_str_mv AT joanarlribeiro exploringtheanticancerpropertiesof123triazolesubstitutedandrographolidederivatives
AT julianacalheiros exploringtheanticancerpropertiesof123triazolesubstitutedandrographolidederivatives
AT ritaamsilva exploringtheanticancerpropertiesof123triazolesubstitutedandrographolidederivatives
AT brunomfgoncalves exploringtheanticancerpropertiesof123triazolesubstitutedandrographolidederivatives
AT carlosamafonso exploringtheanticancerpropertiesof123triazolesubstitutedandrographolidederivatives
AT luciliasaraiva exploringtheanticancerpropertiesof123triazolesubstitutedandrographolidederivatives
AT mariajoseuferreira exploringtheanticancerpropertiesof123triazolesubstitutedandrographolidederivatives