Urea-functionalized organoselenium compounds as promising anti-HepG2 and apoptosis-inducing agents.

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma is a highly aggressive and difficult-to-treat type of cancer. Incorporating urea functionality into the backbone of organoselenium compounds is expected to develop promising chemotherapeutic leads against liver cancer. Methods: Urea-functionalized organoselenium compounds were synthesized in good yields, and their cytotoxicity was evaluated against HepG2 cells. Results: 1,1'-(Diselanediylbis(4,1-phenylene))bis(3-phenylurea) (14) exhibited efficient anti-HepG2 activity in sub-micromolar concentrations, with no toxicity to normal human skin fibroblasts. The molecular mechanisms of the diselenide-based urea 14 were evaluated using colony formation, wound healing, 3D spheroid invasion assays, cell cycle analysisand apoptosis induction. Its redox properties were also assessed by using different bioassays. Conclusion: Our study revealed promising anticancer, antimigratoryand anti-invasiveness properties of 1,1'-(diselanediylbis(4,1-phenylene))bis(3-phenylurea) (14) against HepG2.