[Relationship between Chemical Constitution and Theraeutic Activity of alpha, beta-unsaturated Aldehydes in the...

Biochemical and biological effects and chemical properties of three alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehydes [acrolein (I), 4-hydroxypentenal (II), and 4-hydroxyundecenal (III)] were compared. These three substances inhibited the incorporation of -3H-thymidine in Ehrlich-ascites-tumor cells in vitro in the following order: I is greater than III is greater than II. For reactivities with glutathion in vitro the order was: I is greater than II is greater than III is greater than. We concluded there from that the high activity of I, as to its inhibition of thymidine incorporation and its toxicity, was related to its high activity against SH-groups. With respect to therapeutic effects and hydrophilia the following order: II is greater than I is greater than III was observed. In our opinion the high hydrophilia of II is responsible for the significant and good inhibition of tumour growth.