Synthesis of novel 1,2,3-triazole substituted-N-alkyl/aryl nitrone derivatives, their anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity

•Novel 1,2,3-triazole substituted-N-alkyl/aryl nitrone derivatives were prepared.•Products 5a–e and 6a–p were screened for antiinflammatory and anticancer activity.•Compounds which showed promising activity have been identified.

A series of novel 1,2,3-triazole substituted N-phenyl nitrone derivatives 5a–e were prepared in three steps starting from 1-substituted-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbaldehydes 2 via Schiff's base formation, reduction followed by oxidation. Similarly, 1,2,3-triazole substituted N-alkyl nitrone derivatives 6a–p were prepared in single step starting from compound 2 on reaction with N-alkyl hydroxylamine hydrochlorides. All the final compounds were screened for anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity against various cancer cell lines. Among the compounds tested, the compounds 5a, 5d, 6a, 6b, 6m and 6o exhibited significant inhibition of IL-1β secretion as a measure of anti-inflammatory activity. Compound 5b, 5c, 6h, 6i and 6o exhibited significant activity against all the cell lines (A549, COLO 205, MDA-MB 231 and PC-3) at IC50 values of <15 μM.

Graphical abstractNovel nitrone derivatives 5a–e/6a–p were prepared, compounds 5a, 5d, 6a, 6b, 6m, 6o and 5b, 5c, 6h, 6i, 6o which showed promising anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity respectively have been identified.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide