2H-1,4-Benzoxazin-3(4H)-one linked 1,2,3-triazole derivatives and their study on inducing DNA damage in tumor cells

This study explores the anticancer potential of rigid planar compounds capable of intercalating into tumor cell DNA, thereby inducing DNA damage and subsequent cell death. A novel series of compounds (c1–c20) were synthesized using 2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one as the planar core structure, with 1,2,3...

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Main Authors: Xixi Hou, Yajie Guo, Xi Wang, En Gao, Jianxue Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Pharmacology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1564090/full
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author Xixi Hou
Yajie Guo
Xi Wang
En Gao
En Gao
Jianxue Yang
author_facet Xixi Hou
Yajie Guo
Xi Wang
En Gao
En Gao
Jianxue Yang
author_sort Xixi Hou
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the anticancer potential of rigid planar compounds capable of intercalating into tumor cell DNA, thereby inducing DNA damage and subsequent cell death. A novel series of compounds (c1–c20) were synthesized using 2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one as the planar core structure, with 1,2,3-triazole groups introduced at the 7-position. Biological evaluation across multiple human tumor cell lines revealed that several c-series compounds exhibited notable inhibitory activity against Huh-7 liver cancer cells, with IC50 values of 28.48 μM (c5), 32.60 μM (c14), 31.87 μM (c16), and 19.05 μM (c18). Mechanistic studies indicated that these compounds effectively induced DNA damage, as evidenced by the upregulation of γ-H2AX, and triggered apoptosis via increased caspase-7 expression. Moreover, enhanced LC3 expression and autophagosome formation suggested the activation of autophagy pathways. The observed biological activities are likely attributed to the rigid planar configuration of the molecules, which facilitates DNA intercalation. Collectively, these results highlight the potential of these synthesized compounds as promising lead candidates for the development of novel therapeutic agents against liver cancer. Importantly, acute toxicity studies in mice demonstrated that these compounds possess favorable safety profiles, further supporting their potential for future preclinical development.
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issn 1663-9812
language English
publishDate 2025-08-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Pharmacology
spelling doaj-art-e0300a740d7a4693ace7e11c55d637b42025-08-20T03:03:16ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pharmacology1663-98122025-08-011610.3389/fphar.2025.156409015640902H-1,4-Benzoxazin-3(4H)-one linked 1,2,3-triazole derivatives and their study on inducing DNA damage in tumor cellsXixi Hou0Yajie Guo1Xi Wang2En Gao3En Gao4Jianxue Yang5The First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, ChinaDepartment of Emergency, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, ChinaSchool of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine/Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, ChinaThe First Affiliated Hospital, and College of Clinical Medicine of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, ChinaThis study explores the anticancer potential of rigid planar compounds capable of intercalating into tumor cell DNA, thereby inducing DNA damage and subsequent cell death. A novel series of compounds (c1–c20) were synthesized using 2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one as the planar core structure, with 1,2,3-triazole groups introduced at the 7-position. Biological evaluation across multiple human tumor cell lines revealed that several c-series compounds exhibited notable inhibitory activity against Huh-7 liver cancer cells, with IC50 values of 28.48 μM (c5), 32.60 μM (c14), 31.87 μM (c16), and 19.05 μM (c18). Mechanistic studies indicated that these compounds effectively induced DNA damage, as evidenced by the upregulation of γ-H2AX, and triggered apoptosis via increased caspase-7 expression. Moreover, enhanced LC3 expression and autophagosome formation suggested the activation of autophagy pathways. The observed biological activities are likely attributed to the rigid planar configuration of the molecules, which facilitates DNA intercalation. Collectively, these results highlight the potential of these synthesized compounds as promising lead candidates for the development of novel therapeutic agents against liver cancer. Importantly, acute toxicity studies in mice demonstrated that these compounds possess favorable safety profiles, further supporting their potential for future preclinical development.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1564090/full2H-14-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one1,2,3-triazoleanti-tumor DNA damageapoptosis
spellingShingle Xixi Hou
Yajie Guo
Xi Wang
En Gao
En Gao
Jianxue Yang
2H-1,4-Benzoxazin-3(4H)-one linked 1,2,3-triazole derivatives and their study on inducing DNA damage in tumor cells
Frontiers in Pharmacology
2H-1
4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one
1,2,3-triazole
anti-tumor DNA damage
apoptosis
title 2H-1,4-Benzoxazin-3(4H)-one linked 1,2,3-triazole derivatives and their study on inducing DNA damage in tumor cells
title_full 2H-1,4-Benzoxazin-3(4H)-one linked 1,2,3-triazole derivatives and their study on inducing DNA damage in tumor cells
title_fullStr 2H-1,4-Benzoxazin-3(4H)-one linked 1,2,3-triazole derivatives and their study on inducing DNA damage in tumor cells
title_full_unstemmed 2H-1,4-Benzoxazin-3(4H)-one linked 1,2,3-triazole derivatives and their study on inducing DNA damage in tumor cells
title_short 2H-1,4-Benzoxazin-3(4H)-one linked 1,2,3-triazole derivatives and their study on inducing DNA damage in tumor cells
title_sort 2h 1 4 benzoxazin 3 4h one linked 1 2 3 triazole derivatives and their study on inducing dna damage in tumor cells
topic 2H-1
4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one
1,2,3-triazole
anti-tumor DNA damage
apoptosis
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1564090/full
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