zeolite-catalyzed synthesis of pyrazolo[1,2-a][1,2,4]triazole-1,3-dione derivatives as anti-breast cancer agents

A series of pyrazolo[1,2-a][1,2,4]triazole-1,3-dione derivatives were synthesized under the catalytic effect of natrolite zeolite, and their cytotoxic effects on three human breast cancer cell lines viz. breast cancer (bt-474), triple negative breast cancer (mda-mb 231), and breast carcinoma (mcf-7) were explored using mtt assay. apoptotic effects of the compounds were investigated by western blot analysis on the caspase-3 protein. moreover, we examined the level of reactive oxygen species in all three cell lines. the most promising compound, 7-amino-1,3-dioxo-5-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-phenyl-1,2,3-trihydropyrazolo[1,2-a][1,2,4]triazole-6-carbonitrile (4c), showed high levels of cytotoxicity against all cell lines with ic50 values of 2.3, 2.5 and 3 μg/ml, respectively.