Abstract

Tumor cells principally exhibit increased mitochondrial transmembrane potential (Delta Psi(m)) and altered metabolic pathways. The therapeutic targeting and delivery of anticancer drugs to the mitochondria might improve treatment efficacy. Gallic acid exhibits a variety of biological activities, and its ester derivatives can induce mitochondrial dysfunction. Four alkyl gallate triphenylphosphonium lipophilic cations were synthesized, each differing in the size of the linker chain at the cationic moiety. These derivatives were selectively cytotoxic toward tumor cells. The better compound (TPP+C10) contained 10 carbon atoms within the linker chain and exhibited an IC50 value of approximately 0.4-1.6 mu M for tumor cells and a selectivity index of approximately 17-fold for tumor compared with normal cells. Consequently, its antiproliferative effect was also assessed in vivo. The oxygen consumption rate and NAD(P)H oxidation levels increased in the tumor cell lines (uncoupling effect), resulting in a Delta Psi(m) decrease and a consequent decrease in intracellular ATP levels. Moreover, TPP+C10 significantly inhibited the growth of TA3/Ha tumors in mice. According to these results, the antineoplastic activity and safety of TPP+C10 warrant further comprehensive evaluation.