Synthesis, anticancer activity and computational studies of new benzimidazole-triazole-pyridine glycoside conjugates

Glycosyl-1,2,3-triazoles 15 and 17 exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity among the tested compounds, while others demonstrated selective efficacy against specific cancer cell lines. Notably, compound 17 showed a 1.808-fold increase in cytotoxicity compared to doxorubicin when tested on MCF-7 breast cancer cells (IC₅₀ = 33.32 µM). Molecular docking studies with the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) indicated favorable-binding interactions and potential inhibitory effects. Molecular dynamics further confirmed the stable integration of 17 within the EGFR active site, preserving the structural integrity of its catalytic domain. DFT calculations provided insights into the electronic structure, molecular orbitals, and electrostatic potential of compound 17.