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Proapoptotic Effects of triazol-1,4-Naphthoquinones Involve Intracellular ROS Production and MAPK/ERK Pathway in Human Leukemia Cells.

BACKGROUND
The natural products constitute an important source of antitumor and cytotoxic agents. Naphthoquinones are effectively quinones present in different plants, with demonstrated anticancer activities. A recent study conducted by our group demonstrated the antileukemic potential of two novel triazol-1,4-naphthoquinones derivatives, PTN (2-(4-Phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)-1,4-naphthoquinone) and MPTN (2-[4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1H1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]-1,4-naphthoquinone). Although, the mechanisms underlying the proapoptotic effects of PTN and MPTN has not been fully elucidated so far.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the proapoptotic mechanism of PTN and MPTN in human acute leukemia cells.


METHODS
We used a fluorescence microscopy to observe acridine orange and annexin V staining cells. Flow cytometry assay has also been used for ROS quantification, BAX and cytochrome c proteins expression and apoptosis analysis. MTT assay and western blotting technique have been performed as well for MAPK pathway analysis.


RESULTS
By using the acridine orange and annexin V staining with fluorescence microscopy, we have characterized the proapoptotic effects of PTN and MPTN in HL-60 cells involving the intrinsic mitochondrial pathway, since these compounds promoted an increase in the intracellular BAX and cytochrome c protein levels (p<0.05). We further demonstrated that apoptosis induction in HL-60 cells was mediated by increasing intracellular ROS levels via ERK but not p38 MAPKs pathway.


CONCLUSION
Taken together, these results have demonstrated that PTN and MPTN are promising tools for the development of new anti-leukemic drugs.