Long-chain alkyltriazoles as antitumor agents: synthesis, physicochemical properties, and biological and computational evaluation

A series of novel long-chain alkyltriazoles were prepared from commercial diols in a rapid process with good yields. The compounds were evaluated in vitro for their anticancer potential against two human cancer cell lines: colon carcinoma (RKO) and uterine carcinoma (HeLa). The results of colorimetric MTT assays showed that six of fourteen compounds tested decreased cell viability in these cell lines. Compounds 5e and 6a were the most active against RKO cells, with IC50 values of 16.70 and 14.57 μM, respectively. The same compounds, 5e and 6a, were the most active in HeLa cells as well, with IC50 values of 11.05 and 12.77 μM, respectively. In addition, compound 5e was found to induce apoptosis in RKO cells, as assessed by TUNEL assay. The results suggest that compound 5e may be a promising prototype anticancer agent.