Kinase Inhibitory Activities and Molecular Docking of a Novel Series of Anticancer Pyrazole Derivatives.

A series of novel 1,3,4-triarylpyrazoles containing different heterocycles has been prepared, characterized and screened for their in vitro antiproliferative activity against HePG-2, MCF-7, PC-3, A-549 and HCT-116 cancer cell lines. The biological results revealed that compound 6 showed the highest anticancer activity so it was subjected to a kinase assay study where it reduced the activity of several protein kinases including AKT1, AKT2, BRAF V600E, EGFR, p38α and PDGFRβ at 100 μM using the radiometric or ADP-Glo assay method. Molecular docking simulation supported the initial kinase assay and suggested a common mode of interaction at the ATP-binding sites of these kinases, which demonstrates that compound 6 is a potential agent for cancer therapy deserving further research.

1. Introduction

Cancer is a main health issue in the world due to the yearly increases in the number of n class="Species">patient with this disease [1]. Alterations in cell cycle regulation may lead to the onset, progression and metastasis of cancer [2]. Protein kinases are involved in several biochemical mechanisms regulating the division, growth, and death of cells. The activation of these kinases in different cell signaling pathways has been implicated in cancer cell survival, invasiveness and drug resistance [3,4,5,6,7]. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of chemotherapy is limited by severe side effects, poor selectivity and drug resistance [8,9], so compounds targeting tyrosine kinases (EGFR, VEGFR and PDGFR) and serine/threonine kinases (B-RAF, AKT and p38) have become one of the most intensively pursued classes of cytotoxic agents [10,11].

Most antitumor agents possessing a n class="Chemical">pyrazole scaffold are reported to exert their action through inhibiting different enzymes (Figure 1). The approval of chemotherapeutics targeting inhibition of B-Raf kinase such as compound A, dual VEGFR and PDGFR kinases such as AZD2932, EGFR kinase such as compound B, AKT kinase such as AT7867 or p38 kinase such as SC-102 have been adopted to produce higher potency and selectivity [12,13,14,15,16].

Figure 1

Reported examples of pyrazoles as anticancer agents with different mechanisms and structural rationalization of the newly designed compounds.

Herein, we designed and prepared a novel group of 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrazoles and examined their antin class="Disease">cancer properties against HepG-2 (liver), MCF-7 (breast), PC-3 (prostate), A-549 (lungs) and HCT-116 (colon) cancer cell lines. Further kinase inhibition studies of the most potent compound were performed against twelve protein kinases [AKT1, AKT2, BRAF V600E, CDK2/CyclinA1, CHK1, EGFR, VEGFR-2, p38α, PDGFRβ, PI3K (p110a/p85a and p110b/p85a) and c-RAF] to know the exact mechanism of its anticancer activity. Additionally, molecular docking analyses were performed to explore the possible binding modes of the most active derivative against its biological targets hoping to facilitate the discovery of novel anticancer agents.

2. Results and Discussion

2.1. Chemistry

The reaction sequence for the synthesis of the target triarylpyrazoles 3–14 is outlined in Scheme 1 and Scheme 2. Reaction of the key precursor n class="Chemical">2-((1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-malononitrile (2) with 2-cyanoacetohydrazide afforded the corresponding diaminopyridone derivative 3. The IR spectra of product 3 displayed new strong bands at 3393, 3315 cm−1 assignable for two amino functions, besides another band at 1620 cm−1 for the 2-pyridone carbonyl group. The 1H-NMR spectrum revealed new two sharp singlets at 5.69 and 8.53 ppm related to the protons of two amino groups. Also, formation of compound 3 was confirmed on the basis of 13C-NMR with a signal appearing at 159.66 for the carbonyl carbon in the pyridine nucleus. Additionally, the MS of compound 3 revealed the presence of a molecular ion peak at m/z 393 corresponding to the molecular formula C22H15N7O. The target triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine derivatives 4a–g were obtained through condensation of product 3 with a series of aromatic and aryl aldehydes (Scheme 1). The formation of the new products 4a–g was confirmed by the disappearance of the NH2 group signals and the appearance of another due to a (-NH) function. The IR spectra of the title compounds exhibited bands in the 3294–3113 cm−1 range specific for -NH groups and 2221–2213 cm−1 due to CN functions besides strong bands at 1678–1653 cm−1 for (CO) functions. The 1H-NMR showed sharp singlets in the 8.46–8.31 ppm range due to (-NH) protons. In addition, 13C-NMR of the title compounds revealed the carbons at their expected regions and the molecular ion peaks in the MS confirmed the corresponding molecular formulas of the title products, please find more detailed data in the supplementary materials.

Scheme 1

Synthetic route for substituted triarylpyrazole derivatives 3 and 4a–g. Reagents and Conditions: (a) CH2(CN)2/EtOH-pip./reflux 10 h; (b) CNCH2CONHNH2/ EtOH-pip./reflux 1 h; (c) ArCHO/ EtOH-pip./reflux 6–8 h.

Scheme 2

Synthetic route for substituted triarylpyrazole derivatives 5–13. Reagents and Conditions: (a) barbituric acid/ EtOH-piperidine/reflux 2 h; (b) 1,3-indanedione/ammonium acetate-EtOH/reflux 5 h; (c) tetralone/ammonium acetate-EtOH/reflux 4 h; (d) cyclohexanone/ammonium acetate-EtOH/reflux 3 h; (e) N2H4·H2O/EtOH-piperidine/reflux 6 h; (f) PhNHNH2/EtOH-piperidine/reflux 6 h; (g) CH3NHNH2/EtOH-piperidine/reflux 6 h; (h) CNCH2CONH2/EtONa/reflux 3 h; (I) NH2CXNH2/ NaOEt/reflux 5 h.

Additionally, treatment of the key precursor 2 with barbituric acid in basic solution afforded the corresponding n class="Chemical">pyranopyrimidine derivative 5. The IR spectrum showed absorptions at 3432, 3212, 2211 and 1741 cm−1 assignable to the amino, amide, cyano and carbonyl functions, respectively. Their 1H-NMR spectrum revealed four singlet signals specific for pyran ring protons, the amino function and 2 × NH protons at 4.67, 5.20, 9.79 and 11.21, respectively. MS proved the molecular weight of the expected structure, with the existence of a molecular ion peak [M] at m/z = 424. Also, compound 2 was treated with series of cyclic ketones (1,3-indanedione, α-tetralone, or cyclohexanone) in presence of ammonium acetate to give the title products 6–8. Compound 6 exhibited three bands at 3334, 2202 and 1708 cm−1 attributable to NH2, CN and CO functions, respectively, in its IR spectrum. In addition, the 1H-NMR spectum of compound 6 showed one sharp singlet at 6.89 ppm for the NH2 protons. The MS of 6 exhibited a molecular-ion peak at m/z 439.

The IR spectrum of product 7 showed strong bands at 3346, 2213 cm−1 indicating the existence of NH2 and Cn class="Chemical">N groups. The 1H-NMR spectrum showed the presence of two peaks as triplets at 2.26 and 2.68 ppm for two CH2 moieties, and the NH2 protons appear as a singlet at δ 6.8 ppm. Also, the formation of compound 7 was confirmed by the existence of its molecular-ion peak at m/z 440. Moreover, compound 8 showed two strong bands at 3325 and 2217 cm−1 corresponding to NH2 and CN functions in its IR spectrum. The 1H-NMR spectra of 8 indicated multiplet peaks in the 1.55–2.77 ppm region equivalent to four methylene groups in the fused system and a singlet at δ 6.57 ppm of the NH2 group. The 13C-NMR spectrum of 8 displayed 22 distinct resonances which proved the suggested structure and a [M+]-ion peak at m/z 391 in the MS. On the other hand, the reaction of starting 2 with substituted hydrazines (hydrazine hydrate, phenyl hydrazine or methyl hydrazine) in refluxing ethyl alcohol containing piperidine caused the formation of pyrazole-3,5-diamine 9, 5-imino-1-phenylpyrazol-3-amine 10 and 5-imino-1-methylpyrazol-3-amine 11 derivatives, respectively.

The IR spectrum of 9 showed absorptions bands at 3431, 3313 cm−1 corresponding to two amino functions, besides two singlet peaks were observed at 6.58 and the aromatic protons region due to amino and methine protons. Also, the MS gave a [M+2]-ion peak at m/z 328 equivalent to the molecular formula n class="Chemical">C19H16N6. Finally, treatment of compound 2 with different reagents such as 2-cyanoacetamide, urea or thiourea in the presence of sodium ethoxide afforded the corresponding 4,6-diamino-2-oxopyridine-3-carbonitrile derivative 12 and4,6-diamino-pyrimidin-2(5H)-one/thione derivatives 13a,b (Scheme 2). The IR spectrum of 12 showed four bands at 3366, 3212, 2214 and 1690 corresponding to 2 × NH2, CN and C=O functions, respectively, whereas the two amino groups were observed as two singlet peaks in the 6.95 and 7.12 ppm region in addition to a sharp singlet peak appearing at 7.29 ppm belonging to methine proton in its 1H-NMR spectrum. The [M+2]-ion peak of 12 appeared at m/z 380, in agreement with the proposed structure. Also, derivatives 13a,b were confirmed by the presence of strong bands around 3408–3162 cm−1 for 2 × NH2 functions, besides two absorption bands, one of them at 1725 cm−1 corresponding to the C=O of 13a and the other observed at 1163 cm−1 in its IR spectrum, indicating the presence of the C=S function in 13b. The 1H-NMR spectrum indicated the presence of methine protons at 7.04, 6.93 ppm as two singlets and the chemical shift of the 2 × NH2 protons in the range 8.46–9.26 ppm in the form of singlet peaks. Furthermore, the 13C-NMR and MS spectrum revealed the carbons at their expected regions and the molecular formulas of both compounds.

2.2. Biological Evaluation

2.2.1. In Vitro Cytotoxic Screening

The nineteen new target compounds 3–13 were preliminary screened for their in vitro cytotoxic activity at a concentration of 100 μM against the n class="CellLine">HePG-2, MCF-7, PC-3, A-549 and HCT-116 cell lines following the formerly reported techniques [17,18] (Table 1).

Table 1

Cytotoxic activity of the newly synthesized compounds against human carcinoma cell lines at 100 μM.

Compound	Growth Inhibition (%)
	HepG-2	MCF-7	PC-3	A-549	HCT-116
3	95.7	70.4	98.2	93.7	82.1
4a	98.2	99.1	98.8	95.6	86.9
4b	7.7	28.3	38.2	0	0
4c	0	0	32.2	0	47.9
4d	0	0	25.4	0	35.4
4e	0	0	29.8	11.9	6.79
4f	32.4	33.7	89.4	64.3	89.9
4g	0	0	27	0	0
5	2.9	8.6	91.2	80	94.8
6	15.01	95.9	10.7	90.7	92.2
7	4.8	0	33.7	0	0
8	46.4	70.6	66.7	34.5	0
9	62.8	92.6	89.6	65.8	67.8
10	-	-	53.8	-	-
11	97.8	98.03	99.5	0	92.8
12a	95.9	95	99.1	79.3	80.4
12b	-	-	96	-	-
13a	99.2	99.3	94.5	82.8	95.9
13b	82.6	97	98.3	83.6	84
Negative control	0	0	0	0	0
Doxorubicin	100	100	100	100	100

Compounds 3, 4a, 4e, 6, 9, 11, 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b that displayed cytotoxic activity higher than 80% at a concentration of 100 μM were used to calculate their IC50 values, which corresponds to the concentration required for 50% inhibition of cell viability. n class="Chemical">Doxorubicin, which is one of the most effective anticancer agents, was used as a reference drug (Table 2). Substitution at p-4 of 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrazole moiety with diaminopyridone derivative gave 3 which has higher potency against HePG-2, PC-3 and A-549 cell lines (IC50 = 29.23, 18.81 and 33.07 μM) in comparison to doxorubicin (IC50 = 37.80, 41.10 and 48.80 μM), respectively, due to the presence of the two free amino groups attached to the pyridone scaffold. Cyclization of these two amino groups with different aldehydes afforded 2-substituted triazo[1,2,4]pyridone derivatives 4a–g. When p-2 of the triazolopyridone moiety was substituted with a phenyl group as in 4a, the cytotoxic activity was approximately retained or slightly decreased against HePG-2 (IC50 = 25.13 μM), decreased against PC-3 and A-549 cell lines (IC50 = 89.23, 108.20 μM) and greatly enhanced against MCF-7 (IC50 = 12.00 μM). Substitution with a five membered ring (compounds 4f,g) or a phenyl having electron withdrawing or donating groups (compounds 4b–e) drastically decreased or abolished the cytotoxic activity. Direct attachment of fused pyridine moieties at p-4 of the parent pyrazole in 7 and 8 decreased the cytotoxic activity against all tested cell lines except for 5-oxo-5H-indeno-[1,2-b]pyridine-3-carbonitrile (6), which revealed excellent potency against MCF-7, A-549 and HCT-116 cell lines (IC50 = 6.53, 26.40 and 59.84 μM), respectively. Attachment of a pyranopyrimidindione moiety at p-4 of the starting pyrzole scaffold in 5 resulted in moderate activity on PC-3 (IC50 = 55.61 μM) and a two fold decrease in the activity against the HCT-116 cell line (IC50 = 112.86 μM) in comparision with doxorubicin. Insertion at p-4 of the parent trisubstituted pyrazole, of a 3,5-diaminopyrazole moiety as in 9 or a 5-imino-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3-amine as in 10 via a methylene linker led to drop in the potency against all cell lines, while substitution with 5-imino-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-amine as in 11 elevated the activity against MCF-7 (IC50 = 18.22 μM). The 4,6-diaminopyridone derivative 12a had excellent activity against HePG-2 and MCF-7 (IC50 = 39.96 and 36.67 μM) and moderate activity against PC-3 (IC50 = 78.34 μM), respectively. Double –O- replacement in diaminopyridone 12a by an -S- as in diaminothiopyridine 12b led to an increase in the potency against PC-3 (IC50 = 26.81 μM). Ring variation caused by replacing the pyridone moiety in 12a with a thiopyrimidine one as in 13b resulted in a noticeable decrease in the activity against all cancer cell lines. The oxopyrimidine derivative 13a showed a remarkable increase in the potency, especially against HePG-2, MCF-7 and PC-3 (IC50 = 28.40, 48.49 and 67.06 μM), respectively. Finally, it could be concluded that the cytotoxic activity could be mainly attributed to the two free NH2 groups of the diaminopyridone moiety which was directly attached or through a methylene linker to p-4 of 1,3,4-trisubstituted pyrazole scaffold. Also, direct insertion of the 5-oxo-5H-indeno[1,2-b]pyridine system at p-4 resulted in excellent activity and compound 6 could be used as a lead compound for further preclinical studies in cancer treatment.

Table 2

IC50s of the most highly cytotoxic active compounds against human cancer cells.

Compounds	IC50 (μM)
	HepG-2	MCF-7	PC-3	A-549	HCT-116
3	29.23	-	18.81	33.07	-
4a	25.13	12.00	98.23	108.20	-
4f	-	-	105.41	-	-
5	-	-	55.61	-	112.86
6	-	6.53	-	26.40	59.84
8	-	105.14	-	-	-
9	-	87.65	-	-	-
11	104.56	18.22	104.56	97.84	141.65
12a	39.96	36.67	78.34	-	-
12b	-	-	26.81	-	-
13a	28.40	48.49	67.06	-	154.89
13b	-	65.38	73.57	-	-
Doxorubicin	37.8 ± 1.50	45.0 ± 2.20	41.1 ± 2.01	48.8 ± 1.30	65.1 ± 1.00

2.2.2. Biochemical Assay (Kinase Inhibitor Activity)

Based on the in-vitro cytotoxicity screening results, the most potent compound 6 was selected for in vitro inhibition assessment versus a series of twelve protein kinases [n class="Gene">AKT1, AKT2, BRAF V600E, CDK2/CyclinA1, CHK1, EGFR, VEGFR-2, p38α, PDGFRβ,PI3K (p110a/p85a and p110b/p85a) and c-RAF] at 100 μM using the radiometric or ADP-Glo assay method (KINEXUS Corporation, Vancouver, BC, Canada) [19,20]. Six of the selected kinases (AKT1, AKT2, BRAF V600E, EGFR, p38α, PDGFRβ) were strongly inhibited by more than 94% with the highest inhibition noted with EGFR at 99%. Four of the kinases (VEGFR-2, CDK2/Cyclin A1 and both of the PI3 kinases) gave moderate inhibitions ranging 47% to 76%. Only CHK1 showed a nominal inhibition at 8%. In contrast, compound 6 seemed to slightly activate the c-RAF kinase with an increase in counts of 43% over the control substrate values (Table 3).

Table 3

Inhibition of kinases in the presence of compound 6 at 100 μM using the radiometric or ADP-Glo (*) assay method.

Kinase	Compound 6
	% Inhibition
AKT1	−97
AKT2	−94
BRAF (V600E)	−95
CDK2/Cyclin A1	−73
CHK1	−8
EGFR	−99
KDR (VEGFR)	−76
p38α	−94
PDGFRβ	−96
PI3K (p110a/p85a) *	−47
PI3K (p110b/p85a) *	−63
c-RAF	43

2.2.3. Molecular Modeling Studies

Molecular docking studies were performed using the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE®) 2008.10 package [21] to gain a better understanding of the results obtained from the kinase inhibition assays (AKT1, n class="Gene">AKT2, BRAF V600E, EGFR, p38α, PDGFRβ) and the target compound 6.

The three-dimensional X-ray structures of Akt1 (PDB: 4GV1) [22], n class="Gene">AKT2 (PDB: 2JDR) [23], BRAF V600E (PDB: 3D4Q) [12], EGFR (PDB: 1M17) [24] and p38 alpha (PDB: 2EWA) [25] were used. The X-ray crystallography of the PDGFR β structure was not fully resolved [26].

As shown in Figure 2B, compound 6 occupied the ATP binding site of n class="Gene">Akt1 kinase. In this binding model, Lys179 formed arene-cation interactions with the centroid of the pyrazole moiety, and a hydrogen bond with the inden[1,2-b]pyridine oxygen (distance: 2.92 Å). Besides, the hydrogen of NH2 attached to the indenopyridine scaffold served as an H-bond donor for the side chain of Glu234 (distance: 1.34 Å).

Figure 2

The suggested binding way of target product 6 docked in the active site of AKT1; (A,B) showing 2D and 3D ligand-receptor interactions.

The binding model of compound 6 into AKT2 kinase is mediated by two n class="Chemical">hydrogen bonds as depicted in Figure 3. One H-bond appeared as a H-donor between a NH2 group hydrogen and the backbone of Leu158 (distance: 1.77 Å), and the other H-bond was linked with the side chain of Thr292 as a H-bond acceptor with indenopyridine oxygen (distance: 2.91 Å). Meanwhile, there were arene-cation interactions between the centroid of the phenyl ring at p-3 and Lys181, and arene-arene interactions between the centroids of the pyrazole and Phe163.

Figure 3

The proposed binding mode of compound 6 docked in the active site of AKT2; (A,B) showing 2D and 3D ligand-receptor interactions..

The binding of compound 6 into BRAF n class="Mutation">V600E (Figure 4) revealed three hydrogen bonds: two H-bonds were binding the two protons of the amino group, as H-donors with the backbones of Cys532 and Gly534 (distance: 1.65 and 1.46 Å), while the third H-bond was linking the nitrogen of the cyano group as a H-acceptor with the sidechain of Ser535 (distance: 2.51 Å). Moreover, the indeno[1,2-b]pyridine scaffold was inserted nicely inside the pocket via two arene-arene interactions, one between the centroid of the pyridine and Trp531, and the other between the phenyl ring and Phe583. The EGFR-binding domain in Figure 5 demonstrates that the nitrogen of the cyano group was involved in two H-bond acceptors with the sidechains of Arg817 and Asn818 (distance: 2.37, 2.99 Å, respectively).

Figure 4

The suggested binding way of target product 6 docked in the active site of BRAF V600E; (A,B) showing 2D and 3D ligand-receptor interactions.

Figure 5

The suggested binding way of target product 6 docked in the active site of EGFR; (A,B) showing 2D and 3D ligand-receptor interactions.

Additionally, a H-bond donor interaction (Figure 6) was established between a proton of the n class="Chemical">NH2 group and the sidechain of Asp813 (distance: 1.45 Å). Furthermore, Lys721 shared the fixation of indeno[1,2-b]pyridinemoiety with the protein binding pocket via formation of two different interactions, an arene-cation interaction with the centroid of the phenyl ring and a H-bond acceptor with the carbonyl oxygen.

Figure 6

The suggested binding way of target product 6 docked in the active site of p38α, (A,B) showing 2D and 3D ligand-receptor interactions.

The above docking analysis was consistent with the kinase assay data. Furthermore, the results indicated that the introduction of indeno[1,2-b]pyridine scaffold to the n class="Chemical">pyrazole moiety at p-4 might reinforce the combination of compound 6 and receptors of AKT1, AKT2, BRAF V600E, EGFR and p38α, which might enhance the binding affinity, thus explaining the increased anticancer activity of this compound.

3. Experimental Section

3.1. General Information

Melting points (uncorrected) were determined on an Electrothermal 9100 apparatus (Cole- parmer, Staffordshire, United Kingdom). Elemental microanalyses were carried out using an Elementar system (Vario, Langenselbold, Germany) and the results were within the theoretical value ranges. Infrared spectra were recorded on a FT/IR-4100 instrument (Jasco, Kyoto, Japan), using KBr pellets. 1H-, n class="Chemical">13C-NMR spectra were recorded on an AS-500 NMR spectrometer (JEOL, USA, Inc. CA, USA) or a Mercury Plus-Oxford 400 MHz (Palo Alto, California, USA) using TMS as an internal reference. The mass spectra were recorded on a GC MS-Qp1000EX system (Shimadzu corporation, Kyoto, Japan), and a MAT SSQ-7000 mass spectrometer (Finnigan, Pipersville, New Jersey, USA).

1,6-Diamino-4-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile (3): A mixture of freshly prepared n class="Chemical">2-cyanohydrazide (0.02 mol) and compound 2 (0.01 mol) was refluxed for 1 h in ethyl alcohol (25 mL) containing a few drops of piperidine. The precipitated product was washed with ethanol and recrystallized from methyl alcohol. Yield: 72%; m.p.: 276–278 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1) ν: 3393, 3315 (2NH2), 2217 (CN), 1661 (CO); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ, 5.69 (s, 2H, NH2), 7.98–7.35 (m, 10H, ArH), 8.53 (s, 2H, NH2), 9.02 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 159.66, 157.10, 152.40, 150.07, 139.28, 132.40, 130.28, 130.16, 129.26, 129.01, 127.59, 127.29, 118.89, 116.64, 115.70, 115.47, 88.03, 75.85; MS: [m/z, 393 (M+)]; Anal. Calcd. for C22H15N7O (393.40): C, 67.17; H, 3.84; N, 24.92; Found: C, 67.37; H, 3.48; N, 24.78.

3.1.1. 7-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-oxo-2-substituted-1,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-6,8-Dicarbonitriles 4a–g

A equimolar amount of compound 3 (0.01 mol) and different aldehydes such as benzaldehyde, 4-fluorobenzaldehyde, 4-tolylaldehyde, 4-(dimethylamino)benzaldehyde, anisaldehyde, furan-2-carboxaldehyde, 5-methylfuran-2-carboxaldehyde or thiophene-2-carboxaldehyde) was refluxed for 6–8 h in of absolute n class="Chemical">ethyl alcohol (50 mL) containing a few drops of piperidine. The products formed were recrystallized from acetic acid.

7-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-oxo-2-phenyl-1,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]n class="Chemical">triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-6,8-dicarbonitrile (4a): Yield: 69%; m.p.: 252–255 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1) ν: 3290 (NH), 2216 (CN), 1670 (CO); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 7.32–8.12 (m, 15H, ArH), 8.46 (s, 1H, NH), 9.00 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 79.35, 88.03, 115.07, 115.46, 116.63, 116.82, 118.71, 118.92, 118.96, 119.00, 127.20, 127.28, 127.39, 129.24, 130.29, 138.15, 139.28, 150.06, 153.44, 153.94, 154.86, 157.10, 159.66, 173.36; MS: [m/z (%), 481 (M+2)]; Anal. Calcd. for C29H17N7O (479.49): C, 72.64; H, 3.57; N, 20.45; Found: C, 72.49; H, 3.41; N, 20.26.

7-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-oxo-1,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]n class="Chemical">triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-6,8-dicarbonitrile (4b): Yield: 66%; mp: 268–270 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1) ν: 3113 (NH), 2221 (CN), 1670 (CO);1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 7.32–8.18 (m, 14H, ArH), 8.34 (br s, 1H, NH) 8.94 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 82.14, 101.45, 115.10, 115.87, 119.79, 121.18, 123.68, 126.29, 126.84, 127.35, 128.56, 129.01, 129.31, 130.17, 132.94, 138.49, 150.16, 153.39, 157.24, 162.12, 165.01, 171.26; MS: [m/z (%), 499 (M+2)]; Anal. Calcd. for C29H16FN7O (497.48): C, 70.01; H, 3.24; N, 19.71; Found: C, 69.89; H, 3.12; N, 19.56.

7-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-oxo-2-(p-tolyl)-1,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]n class="Chemical">triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-6,8-dicarbonitrile (4c): Yield: 71%; m.p.: 276–278 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1) ν: 3288 (NH), 2217 (CN), 1678 (CO); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 2.40 (s, 3H, CH3), 7.25–8.07 (m, 14H, ArH), 8.44 (br s, 1H, NH), 9.00 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 21.54, 79.08, 84.91, 115.84, 116.16, 116.42, 116.76, 116.93, 117.49, 118.48, 118.72, 126.88, 127.31, 128.72, 129.58, 129.78, 129.91, 130.24, 132.73, 139.49, 147.54, 150.23, 153.73, 156.41, 161.79, 162.83, 164.17; MS: [m/z (%), 495 (M+2)]; Anal. Calcd. for C30H19N7O (493.52): C, 73.01; H, 3.88; N, 19.87; Found: C, 72.86; H, 3.69; N, 19.70.

2-(4-(N,n class="Chemical">N-Dimethylamino)phenyl)-7-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-oxo-1,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]-triazolo-[1,5-a]pyridine-6,8-di-carbonitrile (4d): Yield: 77%; m.p.: 283–285 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1) ν: 3130 (NH), 2213 (CN), 1668 (CO); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 3.05 (s, 6H, 2CH3), 6.80–7.99 (m, 14H, ArH), 8.31 (s, 1H, NH), 9.03 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 41.25, 84.06, 98.27, 114.34, 115.36, 116.48, 118.01, 121.10, 121.26, 126.15, 126.90, 127.42, 128.63, 129.11, 129.55, 130.10, 132.86, 140.02, 149.73, 150.45, 154.16, 164.20, 170.79; MS: [m/z (%), 524 (M+2)]; Anal. Calcd. for C31H22N8O (522.56): C, 71.25; H, 4.24; N, 21.44; Found: C, 71.08; H, 4.35; N, 21.26.

7-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-oxo-1,5-dihydro[1,2,4]-triazolo-[1,5-a]n class="Chemical">pyridine-6,8-dicarbonitrile (4e): Yield: 69%; m.p.: >300 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1) ν: 3283 (NH), 2213 (CN), 1653 (CO); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 3.86 (s, 3H, OCH3),7.02–8.40 (m, 14H, ArH), 8.44 (s, 1H, NH), 9.02 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 56.24, 76.38, 88.98, 114.52, 114.99, 116.36, 116.88, 118.88, 118.99, 124.74, 127.40, 127.63, 129.02, 129.55, 130.10, 132.29, 132.42, 139.21, 149.92, 152.62, 154.24, 156.91, 160.13, 164.14, 164.48, 172.25; MS: [m/z (%), 511 (M+2)]; Anal. Calcd. for C30H19N7O (509.52): C, 70.72; H, 3.76; N, 19.24; Found: C, 70.54; H, 3.59; N, 19.08.

7-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2-(furan-2-yl)-5-oxo-1,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]-n class="Chemical">triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-6,8-dicarbonitrile (4f): Yield: 67%; m.p.: 246–248 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1) ν: 3284 (NH), 2216 (CN), 1663 (CO); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 6.81 (m, 1H, CH), 7.38–7.99 (m, 13H, ArH), 8.46 (s, 1H, NH), 9.02 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 81.31, 101.34, 110.46, 115.82, 119.89, 120.95, 126.34, 127.54, 128.59, 129.10, 129.35, 130.04, 131.81, 138.23, 141.87, 143.08, 150.19, 153.41, 159.37, 162.12, 169.33; MS: [m/z (%), 471 (M+2)]; Anal. Calcd. for C27H15N7O2 (469.45): C, 69.08; H, 3.22; N, 20.89; Found: C, 68.94; H, 3.09; N, 20.71.

7-(1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-oxo-2-(thiophen-2-yl)-1,5-dihydro-[1,2,4]-triazolo[1,5-a]-n class="Chemical">pyridine-6,8-dicarbonitrile (4g): Yield: 65%; m.p.: 215–217 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1) ν: 3294 (NH), 2214 (CN), 1659 (CO); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 7.27–8.06 (m, 13H, ArH), 8.40 (s, 1H, NH), 9.03 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 76.39, 88.99, 115.02, 115.37, 115.55, 116.36, 116.70, 119.02, 127.26, 128.79, 129.01, 129.30, 130.32, 130.59, 132.27, 134.81, 136.30, 137.61, 139.29, 139.49, 141.88, 150.22, 152.43, 154.47, 156.94, 167.89; MS: [m/z (%), 487 (M+2)]; Anal. Calcd. for C27H15N7OS (485.52): C, 66.79; H, 3.11; N, 20.19; S, 6.60; Found: C, 66.51; H, 3.20; N, 20.28; S, 6.34.

3.1.2. 7-Amino-5-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-2,4-dioxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrano-[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6-carbonitrile (5)

An equimolar amount of compound 2 and barbituric acid (0.01 mol) was heated for 2 h in absolute n class="Chemical">ethyl alcohol (40 mL) containing a few drops of piperidine. The product formed was washed with ethanol and recrystallized from ethanol. Yield 63%; m.p.: 187–189 °C; IR (KBr, cm−1) ν: 3432, 3212 (NH2, NH), 2211 (CN), 1741 (CO); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 4.67 (s, 1H, CH), 5.20 (s, 2H, NH2), 7.44–7.93 (m, 10H, ArH), 8.19 (s, 1H, CH), 9.79, 11.21 (2s, 2H, 2NH); MS: m/z (%): 424 [M+, 2]; Anal. Calcd. for C23H16N6O3 (424.41): C, 65.09; H, 3.80; N, 19.80; Found: C, 65.23; H, 3.65; N, 19.59.

3.1.3. 2-Amino-4-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-oxo-5H-indeno[1,2-b]pyridine-3-carbonitrile (6), 3-amino-1-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5,6-dihydrobenzo[f] quinoline-2-carbonitrile (7) and 2-amino-4-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline-3-carbonitrile (8)

An equimolar mixture of compound 2 (0.01 mol), and a cyclic ketone derivative, namely, n class="Chemical">1,3-indanedione, α-tetralone, or cyclohexanone was heated under reflux for 3–5 h in absolute ethyl alcohol (40 mL), in the presence of ammonium acetate while reaction progress was monitored by TLC. The precipitated product precipitate was washed with ethanol and recrystallized from ethanol.

2-Amino-4-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5-oxo-5H-indeno[1,2-b]pyridine-3-carbonitrile (6): Yield 68%, m.p. 209–211 °C; IR, ν: 3334 (n class="Chemical">NH2), 2202 (C≡N), 1708 (CO); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 6.89 (s, 2H, NH2), 7.07–8.25 (m, 14H, ArH), 8.80 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 89.21, 105.46, 117.09, 119.34, 119.89, 126.19, 126.98, 127.51, 127.82, 128.72, 129.14, 129.36, 130.22, 131.06, 132.88, 133.12, 134.61, 138.43, 143.01, 146.28, 153.37, 165.76, 167.91, 189.10; MS: m/z (%): 439 [M+, 3]; Anal. Calcd. for C28H17N5O (439.47): C, 76.52; H, 3.90; N, 15.94; Found: C, 76.38; H, 3.72; N, 15.75.

3-Amino-1-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5,6-dihydrobenzo[f]quinoline-2-carbonitrile (7): Yield 69%, m.p. 223–225 °C; IR, ν: 3346 (n class="Chemical">NH2), 2213 (C≡N); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 2.26 (t, 2H, CH2), 2.68, 6.81 (2t, 4H, 2CH2), 7.19–7.99 (m, 14H, ArH), 8.88 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 26.79, 31.12, 87.49, 104.58, 116.97, 119.63, 119.90, 126.10, 126.32, 127.18, 127.45, 128.34, 128.68, 128.83, 129.20, 129.41, 131.23, 132.29, 133.07, 135.86, 138.65, 143.01, 146.27, 147.15, 159.45, 161.50; MS: m/z (%): 440 [M+1, 30]; Anal. Calcd. for C29H21N5 (439.51): C, 79.25; H, 4.82; N, 15.93; Found: C, 79.55; H, 4.61; N, 15.78.

2-Amino-4-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline-3-carbonitrile (8): Yield 74%, m.p. 269–271 °C; IR, ν: 3325 (n class="Chemical">NH2), 2217 (C≡N); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 1.55–2.08 (m, 4H, 2CH2), 2.26–2.77 (m, 4H, 2CH2), 6.57 (s, 2H, NH2), 7.30–7.94 (m, 10H, ArH), 8.76 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 21.54, 22.61, 26.12, 33.26, 89.64, 116.50, 117.09, 118.66, 120.14, 126.65, 127.20, 128.81, 129.22, 129.34, 130.17, 132.93, 139.53, 146.58, 149.55, 158.53, 161.77, 172.55; MS: m/z (%): 391 [M+, 100]; Anal. Calcd. for C25H21N5 (391.47): C, 76.70; H, 5.41; N, 17.89; Found: C, 76.45; H, 5.23; N, 17.68.

3.1.4. 4-((1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-4H-pyrazole-3,5-diamine (9), 4-((1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-5-imino-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-amine (10) and 4-((1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-5-imino-1-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-amine (11)

An equimolar mixture of compound 2 (0.01 mol) and a hydrazine derivative (n class="Chemical">hydrazine hydrate, phenyl hydrazine or methyl hydrazine) was refluxed for 6 h in absolute ethanol (50 mL) containing a few drops of piperidine. The solid precipitate produced was collected and recrystallized from methanol.

4-((1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-4H-pyrazole-3,5-diamine (9): Yield 73%, m.p. 134–135 °C; IR, ν: 3431, 3313 (2n class="Chemical">NH2); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 6.58 (s, 4H, 2NH2), 7.30–8.00 (m, 11H, ArH + =CH), 8.65 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 112.81, 118.85, 119.31, 125.93, 126.91, 127.19, 128.39, 128.58, 129.68, 128.93, 129.07, 129.26, 130.02, 131.48, 132.65, 133.24, 139.75, 150.36, 151.87, 163.89; MS: m/z (%): 328 [M+2, 2]; Anal. Calcd. for C19H16N6 (328.37): C, 69.50; H, 4.91; N, 25.59; Found: C, 69.82; H, 4.69; N, 25.72.

4-((1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-5-imino-1-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-amine (10): Yield 77%, m.p. 206–208 °C; n class="Chemical">1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 6.75 (br s, 2H, NH2), 7.03–8.01 (m, 16H, ArH+ =CH), 8.89 (br s, 1H, NH), 9.09 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 104.79, 115.85, 118.47, 119.94, 123.86, 126.14, 127.36, 128.75, 129.18, 129.39, 129.55, 130.12, 133.08, 138.11, 140.21, 145.96, 151.27, 153.01, 163.87; Anal. Calcd. for C25H20N6(404.47): C, 74.24; H, 4.98; N, 20.78; Found: C, 74.05; H, 4.82; N, 20.53.

4-((1,3-Diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-5-imino-1-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-3-amine (11): Yield 63%, m.p. 173–175 °C; IR, ν: 3401, 3214 (n class="Chemical">NH2, NH); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 2.78 (s, 3H, CH3), 6.62 (s, 2H, NH2), 7.32–8.12 (m, 11H, ArH+ =CH), 8.68 (s, 1H, CH), 9.31 (s, H, NH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 26.71, 118.80, 119.18, 119.84, 126.72, 128.36, 128.68, 129.05, 129.32, 131.53, 131.95, 136.27, 137.25, 139.19, 152.67, 163.87; MS: m/z (%): 341 [M−1, 10]; Anal. Calcd. for C20H18N6 (342.4): C, 70.16; H, 5.30; N, 24.54; Found: C, 69.98; H, 5.14; N, 24.39.

3.1.5. 4,6-Diamino-5-((1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-2-oxo-2,5-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitrile (12) and 4,6-Diamino-5-((1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)pyrimidin-2(5H)-one/thione (13a,b)

An equimolar mixture of compound 2 (0.01 mol) and 2-cyanoacetamide, n class="Chemical">urea or thiourea was refluxed for 3–5 h in sodium ethoxide solution (sodium metal (0.01 mol) in 40 mL of absolute ethanol) while the reaction progress was under TLC control. The residue obtained upon pouring onto ice/water containing a few drops of hydrochloric acid (pH ~ 6) was recrystallized from ethanol.

4,6-Diamino-5-((1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-2-oxo-2,5-dihydropyridine-3-carbonitrile (12): Yield 73%, m.p. > 300 °C; IR, ν: 3366, 3212 (2n class="Chemical">NH2), 2214 (CN), 1690 (CO); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 6.95, 7.12 (2s, 4H, 2NH2), 7.29 (s, 1H, CH), 7.33–7.96 (m, 10H, ArH), 8.66 (s, 1H, CH); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 89.68, 104.59, 115.69, 119.88, 126.19, 127.49, 128.32, 129.10, 129.35, 129.68, 130.08, 131.26, 133.05, 138.91, 151.12, 165.45, 167.15, 184.99; MS: m/z (%): 380 [M+, 3]; Anal. Calcd. for C22H16N6O (380.40): C, 69.46; H, 4.24; N, 22.09; Found: C, 69.71; H, 4.38; N, 22.27.

4,6-Diamino-5-((1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)pyrimidin-2(5H)-one (13a): Yield 67%, m.p. 163–165 °C; IR, ν: 3366, 3162 (2n class="Chemical">NH2), 1725 (C=O); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 7.04 (s, 1H, CH), 7.21–7.94 (m, 10H, ArH), 8.86 (1s, 2H, NH2), 9.12 (s, 1H, CH), 9.26 (1s, 2H, NH2); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 115.33, 117.18, 118.52, 118.82, 119.35, 127.10, 128.45, 129.26, 130.08, 130.92, 139.68, 151.57, 152.10, 160.15, 160.69, 174.37, 178.13, 178.94; MS: m/z (%): 356 [M+, 2]; Anal. Calcd. for C20H16N6O (356.38): C, 67.40; H, 4.53; N, 23.58; Found: C, 67.23; H, 4.35; N, 23.41.

4,6-Diamino-5-((1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)pyrimidine-2(5H)-thione (13b): Yield 63%, m.p. 172–175 °C; IR, ν: 3408, 3341 (2n class="Chemical">NH2), 1163 (C=S); 1H-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 6.93 (s, 1H, CH), 7.10–7.96 (m, 10H, Ar-H), 8.21 (s, 1H, CH), 8.46, 8.98 (2s, 4H, 2NH2); 13C-NMR (DMSO-d6): δ 114.68, 118.50, 118.88, 118.93, 119.07, 127.32, 127.82, 128.78, 129.05, 130.08, 130.31, 150.35, 161.56, 165.84, 172.97; MS: m/z (%): 371 [M−1, 60]; Anal. Calcd. for C20H16N6S (372.45): C, 64.50; H, 4.33; N, 22.56; Found: C, 64.31; H, 4.16; N, 22.39.

4. Conclusions

In summary, a series of 1,3,4-triarylpyrazole derivatives bearing different n class="Chemical">nitrogenous moieties were synthesized. Five human cancer cell lines (HePG-2, MCF-7, PC-3, A-549 and HCT-116) were utilized to estimate the cytotoxic properties of the obtained products. Compared to doxorubicin as a reference drug, six derivatives—3, 4a, 6, 12a, 12b and 13a—were more potent against one or more cell lines. Target product 6 having the promising cytotoxic actions revealed excellent inhibitory activity against six kinases (AKT1, AKT2, BRAF V600E, EGFR, p38α and PDGFRβ) at 100 μM. Molecular modeling studies were done to validate the obtained pharmacological data and provide evidence for the observed anticancer behavior.