Lead optimization and biological evaluation of diazenylbenzenesulfonamides inhibitors against glyoxalase-I enzyme as potential anticancer agents.

In a previous report, we described the discovery of (E)-5-((8-hydroxyquinolin-5-yl)diazenyl)-2-methylbenzenesulfonamide as a potent inhibitor of GLO-I enzyme with IC of 1.28 ± 0.12 μM. Herein, lead optimization of this compound was achieved through targeting the central zinc atom and hydrophilic amino acid residues in the active site of the enzyme. Among the synthesized compounds, compound TS010 showed the most potent inhibitory activity with IC of 0.57 ± 0.04 μM. Compound TS013 also showed comparable activity to that of the lead compound with IC of 1.14 ± 0.03 μM. Molecular docking studies disclosed the binding mode of the compounds inside the active side of GLO-I enzyme.