Synthesis and evaluation of 1,2,3-triazole for selective Pb(II) detection and cytotoxic effect on HepG2 Cancer cells

Lead (Pb) is an extremely toxic heavy metal that causes various health problems if contaminated in foodstuffs through any segment of the environment. Highly sensitive, selective, portable, low detection limit, low cost and efficient fluorescence-based chemosensors are of much demanding for the detection of heavy metal ions like Pb(II). Hence with, a new 1,2,3-triazole based probe was synthesized via a click reaction between terminal alkyne as 1-(prop-2-yn-1-yl)indoline-2,3-dione and organic azide as 2-azido-N-(1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3-dihydro-1H- pyrazol-4-yl) acetamide. After successful characterization by FT-IR, NMR, and HR-MS data, absorption and emission response of the probe was examined using UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrum. The LOD and LOQ results (1.28 μM and 4.27 μM, respectively) indicated that the probe may be used for the detection of toxic Pb(II) ions. A 1:1 complex formation between the probe and metal ions as confirmed by Job's plot was supported by DFT results. Molecular docking showed its potential as an anticancer agent against Topoisomerase IIβ and results were fairly supported by in-vitro biological activity against the HepG2 human liver cancer cell line.