Integrated In Silico and In Vitro Study of Copper Nanocatalyzed Carbonyl‐Functionalized Triazoles—Inducing S Phase Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis in MCF‐7

The demand for novel, selective anticancer agents, driven by drug resistance and systemic toxicity of current treatments, underscores the importance of targeted drug discovery. Present research involved cytotoxic screening of a series of synthesized copper nanocatalyzed carbonyl-functionalized triazoles (3a-p), where 3i and 3j have shown highest selectivity index (SI) scores of 2.30 and 4.44, respectively. Computational validation of the lead compounds demonstrated specific interaction with BCL2-associated X protein (BAX) and BCL2, characterized by strong binding affinities ranging between -6.73 and -7.70 kcal/mol. Corresponding protein-ligand complexes demonstrated robust conformational stability throughout their 100 ns of molecular dynamics simulation. Subsequent in vitro validation using MCF-7 cells firmly corroborated the in silico findings, by revealing significant upregulation of BAX (p < 0.001) and downregulation of BCL2 (p < 0.001). Compound induced cellular stress, elevated the ROS-producing cell population up to 40%. Resulting cellular oxidative stress, rapidly depleted the glutathione reserves up to 50% (p < 0.001), consequently compromising the mitochondrial membrane potential leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, the compound induced S-phase cell cycle arrest (upto 51.5%), played a pivotal role in promoting apoptosis by activating DNA damage response pathways. In conclusion, this study has successfully identified two lead compounds (3i & 3j) that modulate multiple converging oncogenic pathways, providing compelling preclinical candidates for targeted management of breast cancer.