Exploring Therapeutic Potential of 1,3,4-Oxadiazole Nucleus as Anticancer Agents: A Mini-review

Abstract

Cancer is an uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells and the second cause of death after cardiovascular disease. At present, chemotherapy and related drugs have three major categories. All three have characteristic action and toxicity levels of antitumor activity. Due to indications of unwanted side effects, the exploration of novel and selective anticancer agents is crucially required. Heterocyclic compounds have always played a major role in research for new drug discovery and development. 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives are heterocyclic isomers having pharmacological properties and play an important role as antiproliferative agents. The present review summarizes anticancer activities of 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives against different cell lines, such as HCT-116, MCF-7, HeLa, SMMC-7721, and A549. The results showed that 1,3,4-oxadiazole and its derivatives have the potential to play a major role as an anticancer agent with fewer side effects.

Keywords: 1; 3; 4-Oxadiazole derivatives; Anticancer activity; ELISA; MTT assay; cancer cell line; heterocyclic isomers.