Synthesis of N-methylarylnitrones derived from alkyloxybenzaldehydes and antineoplastic effect on human cancer cell lines.

New O-isoprenylated-N-methylarylnitrones derived from isomeric o, m and p-hydroxybenzaldehydes have been prepared and the antineoplastic effects on human cancer cell lines were evaluated. The O-geranylated nitrone LQB-278 (1b) and its isomers 2b and 3b inhibited the NO production, but the anti-leukemic activity was drastically dependent on nitrone isomer, with the 1b being the most effective one (IC₅₀ of 6.7 μM) on Jurkat leukemia cell, by MTT assay. In addition, 1b up-regulated p21CIP1/WAF1/Sdi1 protein expression (flow cytometry), a cell cycle inhibitor, reduced cell growth, and induced DNA fragmentation (increased sub-G1 phase cells) and phosphatidylserine externalization in plasmatic membrane (increased annexin V positive cells). Finally, the 1b up-regulation of p21 expression and apoptosis induction seem to be the mechanisms by which it promotes its anti-leukemic effects, making this new molecular architecture a promising prototype for leukemia intervention.