Synthesis, characterization, antioxidant, and anticancer studies of 6-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-3-[(2-naphthyloxy) methyl][1,2,4] triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole in HepG2 cell lines

Triazolo- thiadiazoles exhibit a variety of pharmacological properties, due to their cytotoxicity. In continuation of a previous study on triazolo-thiadiazoles, the authors have synthesized a new thiadiazole, 6-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)- 1-H-pyrazol-4-yl]-3-[(2-naphthyloxy)methyl] [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole (CPNT), which was further characterized by advanced spectral techniques and elemental analysis. The compound exhibited a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect on hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2 with very low IC₅₀ value of 0.8 μg/ml in 24 h when compared with standard drug, doxorubicin. Incorporation of [³H] thymidine in conjunction with cell cycle analysis suggested that CPNT inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells. Flow cytometric studies revealed more percentage of cells in subG1 phase, indicating apoptosis, which was further confirmed through chromatin condensation studies by Hoechst staining. In vitro antioxidant activity of CPNT was determined by DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging assays which revealed increasing scavenging activity with increasing concentration of the compound when compared with reference ascorbic acid.