Synthesis, molecular docking, ctDNA interaction, DFT calculation and evaluation of antiproliferative and anti-Toxoplasma gondii activities of 2,4-diaminotriazine-thiazole derivatives

Abstract

Synthesis, characterization, and investigation of antiproliferative activities against human cancer cell lines (MV4-11, MCF-7, and A549) and Toxoplasma gondii parasite of twelve novel 2,4-diaminotriazine-thiazoles are presented. The toxicity of the compounds was studied at three different cell types, normal mouse fibroblast (Balb/3T3), mouse fibroblast (L929), and human VERO cells. The structures of novel compounds were determined using 1H and 13C NMR, FAB(+)-MS, and elemental analyses. Among the derivatives, 4a–k showed very high activity against MV4-11 cell line with IC50 values between 1.13 and 3.21 µg/ml. Additionally, the cytotoxic activity of compounds 4a–k against normal mouse fibroblast Balb/3T3 cells is about 20–100 times lower than against cancer cell lines. According to our results, compounds 4a, 4b, 4d, and 4i have very strong activity against human breast carcinoma MCF-7, with IC50 values from 3.18 to 4.28 µg/ml. Moreover, diaminotriazines 4a–l showed significant anti-Toxoplasma gondii activity, with IC50 values 9–68 times lower than those observed for sulfadiazine. Molecular docking studies indicated DNA-binding site of hTopoI and hTopoII as possible anticancer targets and purine nucleoside phosphorylase as possible anti-toxoplasmosis target. Our UV–Vis spectroscopic results indicate also that diaminotriazine-thiazoles tends to interact with DNA by intercalation. Additionally, the structure and the interaction and binding energies of a model complex formed by compound 4a and two thymine molecules are investigated using quantum mechanical methods.