Anticancer potential of some β-diketonates: DNA interactions, protein binding properties, and molecular docking study

Abstract

With the goal to discover a new antitumor drug with the better or similar effects to existing, a small series of β-diketonate was tested on a cisplatin-resistant MDA-MB-231 and HeLa tumor cell lines, and nontumor MRC-5 cell line. All compounds showed notable cytotoxicity against both tumor cell lines and good selectivity. Importantly, β-diketonates displayed greater selectivity than cisplatin, which is the crucial factor for a new antitumor drug candidate. Further, investigations with biomacromolecules such as DNA and serum albumin were performed. Investigations showed that tested compounds bind to DNA through intercalation and have appropriate affinity for binding to bovine serum albumin. In addition, the molecular docking study was performed to investigate more specifically the sites and binding mode of tested β-diketonate to DNA or bovine serum albumin. In conclusion, all results indicated the big potential of these compounds for application in clinical practice in future.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• β-diketonate
• biological activity
• anticancer activity
• protein binding study
• DNA interactions
• molecular docking

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Funding

The authors thank the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (Agreement No. 451-03-68/2022-14/200122 and 451-03-68/2022-14/200378).