Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 1-Methyl-1H-indole-Pyrazoline Hybrids as Potential Tubulin Polymerization Inhibitors.

A series of 1-methyl-1H-indole-pyrazoline hybrids were designed, synthesized, and biologically evaluated as potential tubulin polymerization inhibitors. Among them, compound e19 [5-(5-bromo-1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamide] showed the most potent inhibitory effect on tubulin assembly (IC50 =2.12 μm) and in vitro growth inhibitory activity against a panel of four human cancer cell lines (IC50 values of 0.21-0.31 μm). Further studies confirmed that compound e19 can induce HeLa cell apoptosis, cause cell-cycle arrest in G2 /M phase, and disrupt the cellular microtubule network. These studies, along with molecular docking and 3D-QSAR modeling, provide an important basis for further optimization of compound e19 as a potential anticancer agent.