Effects of Structural Modifications of Daunorubicin on In Vitro Antileukemic Activity

Effects of daunorubicin (DAU), DAUFmor, and DAUFhex on the viability of MOLT-4 cells (A) and ML-1 cells (B). The extent of 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) conversion to formazan in the acute leukemia cells reflects their viability. Values not significantly different at p<0.05 according to the Duncan's test: *, **, *** between the groups of leukemia cells treated with the anthracycline agents; #compared to control; +between the time points.

Effects of daunorubicin (DAU), DAUFmor, and DAUFhex on the mean volume of MOLT-4 cells (A) and ML-1 cells (B). A decrease in the cell volume can indicate that the cell can undergo apoptosis, and an increase of the cell volume can be associated with occurring mitotic catastrophe or necrosis. Values not significantly different at p<0.05 according to the Duncan's test: *, **, *** between the groups of leukemia cells treated with the anthracycline agents; #compared to control; +between the time points.

The mean volume distribution curves of MOLT-4 cells (A) and ML-1 cells (B) recorded 72 h after exposure to the action of daunorubicin (DAU), DAUFmor, and DAUFhex. The peaks on the left represent cellular debris, presumably apoptotic bodies and necrotic cell fragments, which were excluded from the analysis of the MOLT-4 and ML-1 cell volume.