Exploring bis-(indolyl)methane moiety as an alternative and innovative CAP group in the design of histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors

Starting from a common pharmacophore that characterizes this class of molecules, we designed and synthesized a series of hydroxamic acids containing a bis-(indolyl)methane moiety. HDAC inhibition profile and antiproliferative activity were evaluated. Three derivatives showed an interesting HDACi profile ranging from low to high nM. In order to gather further knowledge about the structural requirements on histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), starting from the schematic model of the common pharmacophore that characterizes this class of molecules (surface recognition CAP group—connection unit—linker region—Zinc Binding Group), we designed and synthesized a series of hydroxamic acids containing a bis-(indolyl)methane moiety. HDAC inhibition profile and antiproliferative activity were evaluated.