The novel anti-tumor agents of 4-triazol-1,8-naphthalimides: synthesis, cytotoxicity, DNA intercalation and photocleavage.

A novel series of 4-(4-phenyl-[1,2,3]-triazol-1-yl)-1,8-naphthalimide derivatives had been synthesized easily by employing "click reaction". For anti-tumor activity in vitro, all the compounds were found to be more toxic against MCF-7 than Hela and 7721 cells. 4a, 4b and 4e Showed improved cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells over Amonafide, in particular compound 4a, with an IC(50) could amount to 10(-7) M. The UV-vis spectra and Circular Dichroism titration indicated that the compounds behaved as effective DNA-intercalating agents. The investigation of their photo-damaging ability illuminated that these compounds could damage DNA effectively into form II and even form III.