Synthesis of N-[trisubstitutedphenyl]-4-methyl Aniline Derivatives as Novel Anti-Breast Cancer Agents

A series of N-(substituted)-4-methyl aniline derivatives (4a,b, 5a,b, 6, 7, 8, and 9) has been designed and synthesized, and their biological activities were also evaluated as potential anti-tumor and tubulin enzyme inhibitors. Among all compounds, compound (8) showed the most potent tubulin aromatase enzyme inhibitory activity in vitro with an IC50 of 157.3 pg/mL compared to the reference inhibitor Dox (IC50 = 227.4 pg/mL). A docking simulation was performed to insert compound (8) into the crystal structure of human aromatase at the active site to determine the probable binding model. Based on the previous results, compound (8) with potent inhibitory activity on tumor growth could be employed as a potential anticancer agent.