Synthesis, molecular modeling, and biological evaluation of cinnamic acid metronidazole ester derivatives as novel anticancer agents

Compound 3h showed the most potent biological activity (IC50 = 0.62 μM for EGFR and IC50 = 2.15 μM for HER-2). Docking simulation was performed to position compound 3h into the EGFR active site to determine the probable binding model. Antiproliferative assay results demonstrated that some of these compounds possessed good antiproliferative activity against MCF-7. Compound 3h with potent inhibitory activity in tumor growth inhibition may be a potential anticancer agent.