Structure-Activity Relationship of Niclosamide Derivatives

Background/Aim: Cancer is a leading cause of death. Hence, this study aimed at the optimization of niclosamide derivatives for the development of new potential anticancer agents. Materials and Methods: Niclosamide derivatives were synthesized and tested against a panel of human cancer cells: MDA and MCF7 breast cancer cells, PC3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cells, Hela cervical cancer cells, and HL-60 acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. They were also tested in nuclear factor-kappa appa B (NF kappa B), V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), and mitochondria transmembrane potential (MTP) assays. Results: N-(3,5-Bis(trifluoromethyl) phenyl)-5chloro-2-hydroxybenzamide exhibited the most significant cytotoxicity against HL-60 cells, while 5-chloro-N-(2chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxybenzamide was the most active in the NF kappa B assay and 5-chloro-N-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-2hydroxybenzamide in the MTP assay. 5-chloro-N-(2-chloro-4( trifluoromethyl) phenyl)-2-hydroxybenzamide and 5-chloro-2hydroxy-N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) benzamide inhibited both HL-60 cell proliferation and NF kappa B. Conclusion: In-depth study of the most promising compounds is highly encouraged to further develop into potential anticancer agents those derivatives found to be significantly active.