Neoplastic cell inhibition with new ether lipid analogs

Bioactive phospholipid analogs of platelet-activating factor (PAF) represent a new approach to cancer chemotherapy. Various modifications of the basic structure of PAF lead to different ether lipid (EL) analogs. Data from the evaluation of thioalkyl and amidoalkyl glycerophosphocholine and of glycerophosphoinositol EL analogs against different experimental tumors in vitro (HL60 and K562 human leukemia cells, BG1 and BG3 ovarian adenocarcinomas) are presented. Exclusion of trypan blue after short exposure to the drugs determined cytotoxicity, and a soft agarose clonogenic assay measured the ability of the analogs to inhibit tumor cell proliferation. The thioalkyl EL are very active against the cell lines using both end points, and the amidoalkyl EL showed efficacy against the leukemic cell lines, whereas the phosphoinositol EL are active only at high concentrations. Combined use of EL analogs, which are membrane-interactive, with classical DNA-interactive chemotherapeutic drugs revealed that the combinations have additive antiproliferative effects. These results are promising leads in the development of the anticancer potential of ether lipid analogs.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Antileukemic Properties of Naphthoquinone Derivatives of Lawsone

Naphthoquinones are considered privileged structures for anticancer drug molecules. The Heck reaction of 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone (lawsone) with 1‐bromo‐3‐methyl‐2‐butene offered easy access to lapachol. Several naturally occurring linear and angular heterocyclic quinoids (α‐lapachone, β‐lapachone, dunnione, and related analogues) were prepared from lapachol. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the synthetic naphthoquinones inhibit cell proliferation in human leukemia HL‐60 cells. In particular, angular‐type derivatives were found to possess moderate cytotoxicity and to elevate the levels of intracellular glutathione disulfide (GSSG). Our work highlights the significant potential of naturally occurring angular‐series naphthoquinones as antileukemic agents.     

Synthesis and in vitro anticancer activity of ruthenium-cymene complexes with cyclohexyl-functionalized ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetate-type ligands

Herein we describe the synthesis, characterization, and anticancer activity of novel p-cymeneruthenium(II) complexes containing methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and n-butyl esters of (S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-2-(3-cyclohexyl)propanoic acid. The results of IR, UV/Vis, ESIMS, (1)H, and (13)C NMR characterization reveal that ligand coordination occurs through nitrogen donor atoms of the ester ligands, with the organoruthenium moiety being kept in complex. These ruthenium(II) complexes are cytotoxic toward various cancer cell lines including leukemic HL-60, K562, and REH cells (IC(50): 1.0-20.2 μM), with the n-butyl ester complex being the most effective. It causes apoptotic cell death associated with mitochondrial depolarization, caspase activation, phosphatidylserine exposure, and DNA fragmentation. Importantly, the n-butyl ester complex is more effective against leukemic patients' blood mononuclear cells relative to those from healthy control subjects, thus indicating a fairly selective antileukemic action of Ru(II)-based compounds.     

Involvement of the PI3K/AKT Intracellular Signaling Pathway in the AntiCancer Activity of Hydroxytyrosol,a Polyphenol from Olea europaea,in Hematological Cells and Implication of HSP60 Levels in Its Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Hydroxytyrosol (HT), the main representative of polyphenols of olive oil, has been described as one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, also showing anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective and anticancer activity in different type of cancers, but has been little studied in hematological neoplasms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the anticancer potential of HT in acute human leukemia T cells (Jurkat and HL60) and the anti-inflammatory potential in murine macrophages (Raw264.7). For this, cytotoxicity tests were performed for HT, showing IC₅₀ values, at 24 h, for Jurkat, HL60 and Raw264.7 cells, of 27.3 µg·mL⁻¹, 109.8 µg·mL⁻¹ and 45.7 µg·mL⁻¹, respectively. At the same time, HT caused cell arrest in G₀/G₁ phase in both Jurkat and HL60 cells by increasing G₀/G₁ phase and significantly decreasing S phase. Apoptosis and cell cycle assays revealed an antiproliferative effect of HT, decreasing the percentage of dividing cells and increasing apoptosis. Furthermore, HT inhibited the PI3K signaling pathway and, consequently, the MAPK pathway was activated. Inflammation tests revealed that HT acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, reducing NO levels in Raw264.7 cells previously stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These processes were confirmed by the changes in the expression of the main markers of inflammation and cancer. In conclusion, HT has an anticancer and anti-inflammatory effect in the cell lines studied, which were Raw264.7, Jurkat, and HL60, and could be used as a natural drug in the treatment of liquid cancers, leukemias, myelomas and lymphomas.     

稳定表达核仁磷酸蛋白1突变基因的白血病细胞株的构建及鉴定

目的构建稳定表达人核仁磷酸蛋白1(Nucleophosmin 1,NPM1)A型突变蛋白(NPM1-mA)的白血病髓性细胞系,并进行鉴定。方法利用xfectTM转染试剂将含人NPM1-mA基因的重组质粒pEGFP-C1-NPM1-mA分别转染THP-1和K562细胞系,G418筛选阳性克隆,建立稳定表达NPM1-mA的白血病细胞株THP-1-mA和K562-mA。采用RT-PCR和Western blot检测细胞NPM1-mA mRNA和蛋白水平的表达,细胞免疫化学法检测NPM1-mA蛋白的亚细胞定位,细胞生长曲线观察细胞体外增殖能力的改变。结果构建的白血病细胞株THP-1-mA和K562-mA的RT-PCR产物均可见446 bp的NPM1-mA基因条带;NPM1-mA蛋白的表达量明显升高;NPM1-mA蛋白存在于构建的2株白血病细胞胞浆中;与空载体转染组和未转染组细胞相比,转染NPM1-mA基因后,THP-1细胞体外增殖能力增强,K562细胞体外增殖能力减弱。结论已成功构建了稳定表达NPM1-mA的两株白血病细胞株THP-1-mA和K562-mA,为进一步研究NPM1基因突变对白血病细胞生物学特性的影响提供了良好的细胞模型。     

Proliferation-attenuating and apoptosis-inducing effects of tryptanthrin on human chronic myeloid leukemia k562 cell line in vitro

Tryptanthrin, a kind of indole quinazoline alkaloid, has been shown to exhibit anti-microbial, anti-inflammation and anti-tumor effects both in vivo and in vitro. However, its biological activity on human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line K562 is not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the proliferation-attenuating and apoptosis-inducing effects of tryptanthrin on leukemia K562 cells in vitro and explored the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that tryptanthrin could significantly inhibit K562 cells proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner as evidenced by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. We also observed pyknosis, chromatin margination and the formation of apoptotic bodies in the presence of tryptanthrin under the electron microscope. Nuclei fragmentation and condensation by Hoechst 33258 staining were detected as well. The amount of apoptotic cells significantly increased whereas the mitochondrial membrane potential decreased dramatically after tryptanthrin exposure. K562 cells in the tryptanthrin treated group exhibited an increase in cytosol cyt-c, Bax and activated caspase-3 expression while a decrease in Bcl-2, mito cyt-c and pro-caspase-3 contents. However, the changes of pro-caspase-3 and activated caspase-3 could be abolished by a pan-caspase inhibitor ZVAD-FMK. These results suggest that tryptanthrin has proliferation-attenuating and apoptosis-inducing effects on K562 cells. The underlying mechanism is probably attributed to the reduction in mitochondria membrane potential, the release of mito cyt-c and pro-caspase-3 activation.     

1,4-Naphthoquinone (CNN1) Induces Apoptosis through DNA Damage and Promotes Upregulation of H2AFX in Leukemia Multidrug Resistant Cell Line

The multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype is one of the major obstacles in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in advantage stages such as blast crisis. In this scenario, more patients develop resistance mechanisms during the course of the disease, making tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) target therapies ineffective. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the pharmacological role of CNN1, a para-naphthoquinone, in a leukemia multidrug resistant cell line. First, the in vitro cytotoxic activity of Imatinib Mesylate (IM) in K-562 and FEPS cell lines was evaluated. Subsequently, membrane integrity and mitochondrial membrane potential assays were performed to assess the cytotoxic effects of CNN1 in K-562 and FEPS cell lines, followed by cell cycle, alkaline comet assay and annexin V-Alexa Fluor^® 488/propidium iodide assays (Annexin/PI) using flow cytometry. RT-qPCR was used to evaluate the H2AFX gene expression. The results demonstrate that CNN1 was able to induce apoptosis, cell membrane rupture and mitochondrial membrane depolarization in leukemia cell lines. In addition, CNN1 also induced genotoxic effects and caused DNA fragmentation, cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in leukemia cells. No genotoxicity was observed on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Additionally, CNN1 increased mRNA levels of H2AFX. Therefore, CNN1 presented anticancer properties against leukemia multidrug resistant cell line being a potential anticancer agent for the treatment of resistant CML.     

白血病K562细胞株中CD34~+细胞群的分离及其生物学特性

目的分离白血病K562细胞株中CD34+细胞群,并分析其生物学特征,为从干细胞角度治疗白血病提供实验依据。方法采用免疫磁性分选法分离K562细胞中CD34+细胞群,台盼蓝拒染法检测细胞活性;流式细胞术检测CD34+细胞比例及细胞周期;单细胞克隆培养检测CD34+细胞自我更新能力;RT-PCR法检测CD34+细胞分化相关指标促红细胞生成素(Erythropoietin,EPO)和粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(Granulocyte macrophage colony stimulatingfactor,GM-CSF)基因mRNA的转录水平;并检测CD34+细胞耐药蛋白P-gp(P-glycoprotein)的表达。结果免疫磁性分选法可有效分离出CD34+细胞群,细胞活性为99%～100%;分离的CD34+细胞含量占细胞总数的78.5%～85.3%,细胞大部分处于静止状态,G0/G1期细胞比例达80%左右,显著高于分离前的K562细胞;CD34+细胞群具有形成混合集落的能力;与K562细胞相比,CD34+细胞EPO和GM-CSF基因mRNA的转录水平明显下降(P<0.01),P-gp表达阳性。结论成功从K562细胞株中分离了CD34+细胞群,其具有自我更新和多向分化的能力,表明其具有白血病干/祖细胞的生物学特点。     

Cytotoxicity of Newly Synthesized Quinazoline–Sulfonamide Derivatives in Human Leukemia Cell Lines and Their Effect on Hematopoiesis in Zebrafish Embryos

Many quinazoline derivatives with pharmacological properties, such as anticancer activity, have been synthesized. Fourteen quinazoline derivatives bearing a substituted sulfonamide moiety (4a–n) were previously synthesized and fully characterized. These compounds exerted antiproliferative activity against cell lines derived from solid tumors. Herein, the antileukemic activities of these compounds (4a–n) against two different leukemia cell lines (Jurkat acute T cell and THP-1 acute monocytic) were investigated. Our investigation included examining their activity in vivo in a zebrafish embryo model. Remarkably, compounds 4a and 4d were the most potent in suppressing cell proliferation, with an IC₅₀ value range of 4–6.5 µM. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that both compounds halted cell progression at the G2/M phase and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses also showed that both compounds effectively induced apoptosis by upregulating the expression of proapoptotic factors while downregulating that of antiapoptotic factors. In vivo animal toxicity assays performed in zebrafish embryos indicated that compound 4d was more toxic than compound 4a, with compound 4d inducing multiple levels of teratogenic phenotypes in zebrafish embryos at a sublethal concentration. Moreover, both compounds perturbed the hematopoiesis process in developing zebrafish embryos. Collectively, our data suggest that compounds 4a and 4d have the potential to be used as antileukemic agents.     

Nec-1 Enhances Shikonin-Induced Apoptosis in Leukemia Cells by Inhibition of RIP-1 and ERK1/2

Necrostatin-1 (Nec-1) inhibits necroptosis by allosterically inhibiting the kinase activity of receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1), which plays a critical role in necroptosis. RIP1 is a crucial adaptor kinase involved in the activation of NF-κB, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the phosphorylation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs). NF-κB, ROS and MAPKs all play important roles in apoptotic signaling. Nec-1 was regarded as having no effect on apoptosis. Here, we report that Nec-1 increased the rate of nuclear condensation and caspases activation induced by a low concentration of shikonin (SHK) in HL60, K562 and primary leukemia cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of RIP1 significantly enhanced shikonin-induced apoptosis in K562 and HL60 cells. Shikonin treatment alone could slightly inhibit the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in leukemia cells, and the inhibitory effect on ERK1/2 was significantly augmented by Nec-1. We also found that Nec-1 could inhibit NF-κB p65 translocation to the nucleus at a later stage of SHK treatment. In conclusion, we found that Nec-1 can promote shikonin-induced apoptosis in leukemia cells. The mechanism by which Nec-1 sensitizes shikonin-induced apoptosis appears to be the inhibition of RIP1 kinase-dependent phosphorylation of ERK1/2. To our knowledge, this is the first study to document Nec-1 sensitizes cancer cells to apoptosis.     

Novel Strategy to Fabricate PLA/Au Nanocomposites as an Efficient Drug Carrier for Human Leukemia Cells in Vitro

Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) polymer has the promising applications in the biomedical field because of its biodegradability and safe elimination. In this study, we have explored the bio-application of new nanocomposites composed with PLA nanofibers and Au nanoparticles as the potential drug carrier for an efficient drug delivery in target cancer cells. The results demonstrated that the anticancer drug daunorubicin could be efficiently self-assembled on the surface of PLA/Au nanocomposites and the synergistic enhancement of PLA/Au nanocomposites conjugated with daunorubicin into drug-sensitive K562 and drug-resistant leukemia K562/AO2 cells could be obviously observed by MTT assay and confocal fluorescence microscopy studies. These observations suggest that the new nanocomposites could readily induce daunorubicin to accumulate and uptake in target leukemia cells and increase the drug's cytotoxicity. Especially, the PLA/Au nanocomposites could significantly facilitate the cellular drug absorbtion of daunorubicin into drug-resistant K562/AO2 cells and efficiently inhibit the cancer cell proliferation. This raised the possibility to utilize the PLA/Au nanocomposites as a new effective additive agent to inhibit the drug resistance and thus as a novel strategy to sensitively track the respective cancer cells.     

ASP-Enzymosomes with Saccharomyces cerevisiae Asparaginase II Expressed in Pichia pastoris: Formulation Design and In Vitro Studies of a Potential Antileukemic Drug

The bacterial enzyme asparaginase is the main treatment option for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. However, it causes side effects, such as immunological reactions, and presents undesirable glutaminase activity. As an alternative, we have been studying asparaginase II from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, coded by ASP3 gene, which was cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris. The recombinant asparaginase (ASP) presented antileukemic activity and a glutaminase activity 100 times lower in comparison to its asparaginase activity. In this work, we describe the development of a delivery system for ASP via its covalent attachment to functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer chains in the outer surface of liposomes (ASP-enzymosomes). This new delivery system demonstrated antiproliferative activity against K562 (chronic myeloid leukemia) and Jurkat (acute lymphocytic leukemia) cell lines similar to that of ASP. The antiproliferative response of the ASP-enzymosomes against the Jurkat cells suggests equivalence to that of the free Escherichia coli commercial asparaginase (Aginasa^®). Moreover, the ASP-enzymosomes were stable at 4 °C with no significant loss of activity within 4 days and retained 82% activity up to 37 days. Therefore, ASP-enzymosomes are a promising antileukemic drug.     

Antiproliferative effect of aaptamine on human chronic myeloid leukemia k562 cells

We previously isolated aaptamine, a benzonaphthyridine alkaloid, from marine sponge Aaptos suberitoids. In this study, we investigated the anti-proliferative effect of aaptamine on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) K562 cells. Aaptamine inhibited growth of K562 with a GI50 as 10 μM, and arrested cell cycle at G2/M phase. Western blot analysis indicated that aaptamine induced p21 expression in K562 cells. Moreover, p21 promoter was activated by aaptamine treatment in p21 transfected K562 cells. Since K562 is p53 negative, aaptamine was demonstrated to be a p53-independent p21 inducer in CML cells.     

Urolithin A and B Alter Cellular Metabolism and Induce Metabolites Associated with Apoptosis in Leukemic Cells

Leukemia is persistently a significant cause of illness and mortality worldwide. Urolithins, metabolites of ellagic acid and ellagitannins produced by gut microbiota, showed better bioactive compounds liable for the health benefits exerted by ellagic acid and ellagitannins containing pomegranate and walnuts. Here, we assessed the potential antileukemic activities of both urolithin A and urolithin B. Results showed that both urolithin A and B significantly inhibited the proliferation of leukemic cell lines Jurkat and K562, among which urolithin A showed the more prominent antiproliferative capability. Further, urolithin treatment alters leukemic cell metabolism, as evidenced by increased metabolic rate and notable changes in glutamine metabolism, one-carbon metabolism, and lipid metabolism. Next, we evidenced that both urolithins equally promoted apoptosis in leukemic cell lines. Based on these observations, we concluded that both urolithin A and B alter leukemic cell metabolome, resulting in a halt of proliferation, followed by apoptosis. The data can be used for designing new combinational therapies to eradicate leukemic cells.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Antiproliferative Activity of the Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) Complexes of 2-(4-Thiazolyl)Benzimidazole (Thiabendazole)

Complexes of 2-(4-thiazolyi)benzimidazole (thiabendazole, THBD) with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(ll) of general formula ML(2)(NO(3))(2) H(2)O and complexes of Pd(II) and Pt(II) of general formula ML2Cl(2) H(2)O have been obtained and characterized by elemental analyses, IR and far IR spectroscopy and magnetic measurements. The X-ray crystal structure of the copper(II) complex has been determined. The in vitro cell proliferation inhibitory activity of these compounds was examined against human cancer cell lines A 549 (lung carcinoma), HCV-29 T (urinary bladder carcinoma), MCF-7 (breast cancer), T47D (breast cancer), MES-SA (uterine carcinoma) and HL-60 (promyelocytic leukemia). Pt-THBD has been found to exhibit an antileukemic activity of the HL-60 line cells matching that of an arbitrary criterion.     

Antileukemic Natural Product Induced Both Apoptotic and Pyroptotic Programmed Cell Death and Differentiation Effect

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is one of the most common forms of leukemia. Despite advances in the management of such malignancies and the progress of novel therapies, unmet medical needs still exist in AML because of several factors, including poor response to chemotherapy and high relapse rates. Ardisianone, a plant-derived natural component with an alkyl benzoquinone structure, induced apoptosis in leukemic HL-60 cells. The determination of dozens of apoptosis-related proteins showed that ardisianone upregulated death receptors and downregulated the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAPs). Western blotting showed that ardisianone induced a dramatic increase in tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) protein expression. Ardisianone also induced downstream signaling by activating caspase-8 and -3 and degradation in Bid, a caspase-8 substrate. Furthermore, ardisianone induced degradation in DNA fragmentation factor 45 kDa (DFF45), a subunit of inhibitors of caspase-activated DNase (ICAD). Q-VD-OPh (a broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor) significantly diminished ardisianone-induced apoptosis, confirming the involvement of caspase-dependent apoptosis. Moreover, ardisianone induced pyroptosis. Using transmission electron microscopic examination and Western blot analysis, key markers including gasdermin D, high mobility group box1 (HMGB1), and caspase-1 and -5 were detected. Notably, ardisianone induced the differentiation of the remaining survival cells, which were characterized by an increase in the expression of CD11b and CD68, two markers of macrophages and monocytes. Wright–Giemsa staining also showed the differentiation of cells into monocyte and macrophage morphology. In conclusion, the data suggested that ardisianone induced the apoptosis and pyroptosis of leukemic cells through downregulation of IAPs and activation of caspase pathways that caused gasdermin D cleavage and DNA double-stranded breaks and ultimately led to programmed cell death. Ardisianone also induced the differentiation of leukemic cells into monocyte-like and macrophage-like cells. The data suggested the potential of ardisianone for further antileukemic development.     

Discovery of a Nanomolar Multikinase Inhibitor (KST016366): A New Benzothiazole Derivative with Remarkable Broad‐Spectrum Antiproliferative Activity

Herein we report the discovery of compound 6 [KST016366; 4‐((2‐(3‐(4‐((4‐ethylpiperazin‐1‐yl)methyl)‐3‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)ureido)benzo[d]thiazol‐6‐yl)oxy)picolinamide] as a new potent multikinase inhibitor through minor structural modification of our previously reported RAF kinase inhibitor A . In vitro anticancer evaluation of 6 showed substantial broad‐spectrum antiproliferative activity against 60 human cancer cell lines. In particular, it showed GI₅₀ values of 51.4 and 19 nm against leukemia K‐562 and colon carcinoma KM12 cell lines, respectively. Kinase screening of compound 6 revealed its nanomolar‐level inhibitory activity of certain oncogenic kinases implicated in both tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. Interestingly, 6 displays IC₅₀ values of 0.82, 3.81, and 53 nm toward Tie2, TrkA, and ABL‐1 (wild‐type and T315I mutant) kinases, respectively. Moreover, 6 is orally bioavailable with a favorable in vivo pharmacokinetic profile. Compound 6 may serve as a promising candidate for further development of potent anticancer chemotherapeutics.     

The Effect of Cucurbit[7]uril on the Antitumor and Immunomodulating Properties of Oxaliplatin and Carboplatin

Cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) is a molecular container that may form host–guest complexes with platinum(II) anticancer drugs and modulate their efficacy and safety. In this paper, we report our studies of the effect of CB[7]–oxaliplatin complex and the mixture of CB[7] and carboplatin (1:1) on viability and proliferation of a primary cell culture (peripheral blood mononuclear cells), two tumor cell lines (B16 and K562) and their activity in the animal model of melanoma. At the same time, we studied the impact of platinum (II) drugs with CB[7] on T cells and B cells in vitro. Although the stable CB[7]–carboplatin complex was not formed, the presence of cucurbit[7]uril affected the biological properties of carboplatin. In vivo, CB[7] increased the antitumor effect of carboplatin, but, at the same time, increased its acute toxicity. Compared to free oxaliplatin, its complex with CB[7] shows a greater cytotoxic effect on tumor cell lines B16 and K562, while in vivo, the effects of the free drug and encapsulated drug were comparable. However, in vivo studies also demonstrated that the encapsulation of oxaliplatin in CB[7] lowered the toxicity of the drug.     

Effects of newcastle disease virus strains AF2240 and V4-UPM on cytolysis and apoptosis of leukemia cell lines

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is used as an antineoplastic agent in clinical tumor therapy. It has prompted much interest as an anticancer agent because it can replicate up to 10,000 times better in human cancer cells than in most normal cells. This study was carried out to determine the oncolytic potential of NDV strain AF2240 and V4-UPM on WEHI-3B leukemia cell line. Results from MTT cytotoxicity assay showed that the CD(50) values for both strains were 2 and 8 HAU for AF2240 and V4-UPM, respectively. In addition, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and trypan blue dye exclusion assays showed inhibition in cell proliferation after different periods. Increase in the cellular level of caspase-3 and detection of DNA laddering using agarose gel electrophoresis on treated cells with NDV confirmed that the mode of cell death was apoptosis. In addition, flow-cytometry analysis of cellular DNA content showed that the virus caused an increase in the sub-G1 region (apoptosis peaks). In conclusion, NDV strains AF2240 and V4-UPM caused cytolytic effects against WEHI-3B leukemic cell line.