Synthesis and Evaluation of New Pyrazoline Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents in HepG-2 Cell Line

Cancer is a major public health concern worldwide. Adverse effects of cancer treatments still compromise patients' quality of life. To identify new potential anticancer agents, a series of novel pyrazoline derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic effects on HepG-2 (human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line) and primary hepatocytes. Compound structures were confirmed by H-1-NMR, mass spectrometry, and infrared imaging. An in vitro assay demonstrated that several compounds exerted cytotoxicity in the micromolar range. Benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-[5-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-phenyl)-3-(2-hydroxy-phenyl)-4,5-dihydo-pyrazol-1-yl]-methanone (b17) was the most effective anticancer agent against HepG-2 cells owing to its notable inhibitory effect on HepG-2 with an IC50 value of 3.57 mu M when compared with cisplatin (IC50 = 8.45 mu M) and low cytotoxicity against primary hepatocytes. Cell cycle analysis and apoptosis/necrosis evaluation using this compound revealed that b17 notably arrested HepG-2 cells in the G(2)/M phase and induced HepG-2 cells apoptosis. Our findings indicate that compound b17 may be a promising anticancer drug candidate.