Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 2-Arylamino-5- (3′-Indolyl)-1,3,4-Oxadiazoles as Potent Cytotoxic Agents

Abstract

Coupling of two key scaffolds in medicinal chemistry, the indole and 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring systems, gave rise to 2-arylamino-5-(3′-indolyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles with IC50 values in the nanomolar range against a panel of tumor cell lines. Preliminary structure–activity relationship studies indicate potential for improved selectivity through further manipulation of the oxadiazole C-2 and C-5 positions.