Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel hybrid compounds of imidazole scaffold-based 2-benzylbenzofuran as potent anticancer agents

A series of novel hybrid compounds between 2-benzylbenzofuran and imidazole has been prepared and evaluated in vitro against a panel of human tumor cell lines. The results suggest that the existence of benzimidazole ring and substitution of the imidazolyl-3-position with a naphthylacyl or 4-methoxyphenacyl group were vital for modulating cytotoxic activity. In particular, hybrid compounds 46 and 47 were found to be the most potent derivatives against 5 strains human tumor cell lines and more active than cisplatin (DDP), and exhibited cytotoxic activities selectively against breast carcinoma (MCF-7) and myeloid liver carcinoma (SMMC-7721), respectively.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Novel hybrid compounds between 2-benzylbenzofuran and imidazole were prepared. ► Their antitumor activity were evaluated. ► The hybrid compounds 47 and 46 were found to be the most potent compounds. ► The structure–activity relationship results of hybrid compounds were summarized.