A series of N1,N3-bis (1-oxopropan-2-yl) isophthalamide-based derivatives 4–16 were prepared and their
structures were confirmed by different spectral tools. The cytotoxic potentiality of novel compounds 4–16
was assessed by the MTT assay method on colon, lung and breast tumour cell lines. Compound 5 gave
the most significant specificity anticancer activity with safety response on normal cell lines. In vitro enzyme
assay and several apoptotic parameters were examined to elucidate the mode of action of compound 5.
Molecular docking studies also were simulated to put insight and give better understanding to its structural
features.