Investigation of the cytotoxic effects of benzofuran substitute chalcone derivatives on human lung cancer cells

Lung cancer is one of the most common health problems in the world and in our country. Although various treatment methods (surgical operation, chemotherapy, radiotherapy) have been developed for lung cancer, new strategies and drugs are needed. In particular, anti-cancer agents that can be obtained from natural sources attract great attention. Chalcones, which are a subgroup of flavonoids with anticancer activity, have attracted great interest in terms of their biological activities in recent years. It has been observed that natural or synthetic chalcone derivatives with different structures have anticancer activity in cancer cells. In this thesis, the anticancer activity of benzofuran substituted chalcone derivatives (Complex 1 and Complex 2) whose synthesis and characterization was performed was investigated on human lung cancer cells (A549 and H1299). The healthy lung cell line (BEAS-2B) was used to determine the possible effects of the complexes on healthy cells. Cytotoxic effect of the complexes on cell viability was determined by SRB (24, 48 and 72 hours) and ATP (48 and 72 hours) viability tests, while the mode of death (apoptosis / necrosis) in cells was determined by fluorescent staining. In addition, the migration abilities of the complexes in cells were investigated by the wound healing test. As a result, it was found that benzofuran substituted chalcone derivatives inhibited cell growth in human lung cancer cells by showing cytotoxic activity depending on dose and time. In addition, it has been determined that these complexes induce apoptosis in cells, causing a decrease in invasion capabilities. According to the results, it was concluded that benzofuran substituted chalcone derivatives could be promising agents in the treatment of lung cancer and further analysis should be done.