Anticancer activity of N-(4-t-butylbenzoyl)-N’-phenylthiourea: Molecular docking, synthesis, and cytotoxic activity in breast and cervical cancer cells

Abstract

Context: N-(4-t-butylbenzoyl)-N’-phenylthiourea, a derivative compound of N-benzoyl-N’-phenylthiourea, has relatively high lipophilicity with the epidermal growth factor receptor and silent mating type information regulation-1 enzyme as its molecular targets. Aims: To determine the anticancer activity of N-(4-t-butylbenzoyl)-N’-phenylthiourea as an in silico and in vitro anticancer candidate for the breast and cervical cancer. Methods: In silico test was performed to predict the cytotoxic activity using AutoDock Vina. This activity was also measured in vitro using the Microculture Tetrazolium Technique assays of three cancer cells (MCF-7, T47D, and HeLa) and normal cells (Vero cells). Results: In silico test predicted that N-(4-t-butylbenzoyl)-N’-phenylthiourea was more cytotoxic at epidermal growth factor receptor than silent mating type information regulation-1 receptor. In vitro tests showed it exhibited cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, T47D, and HeLa without harming Vero cells. Conclusions: N-(4-t-butylbenzoyl)-N’-phenylthiourea has the potential as an anticancer candidate for breast and cervical cancers.