Densely functionalized cinnolines: Controlled microwave-assisted facile one-pot multi-component synthesis and in vitro anticancer activity via apoptosis induction.

•Synthesis of densely functionalized cinnolines via one-pot multi-component reaction.•Cinnoline 4b had in vitro anti-cancer activity against RPMI 8226 & LOX IMVI cells.•It caused pre-G1 apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at G2-M phase.•It increased apoptotic cells in both early and late apoptotic phases.•It boosted pro-apoptotic/anti-apoptotic balance in mitochondrial intrinsic pathway.