Aryl Maleimides as Apoptosis Inducers on L5178-Y Murine Leukemia Cells (in silico, in vitro and ex vivo Study).

Thiol reagents were shown to act as potent inhibitors of L5178-Y murine leukemia cell proliferation. A series of aryl maleimides (AMI) was synthesized and evaluated theoretically for global and local reactivity, showing their selectivity for thiol groups, due to a reaction of the vinyl moiety (a soft acid) with thiols (a soft base). Two AMI that are benzoic acid derivatives (1f and 1h) were tested with an in vitro and ex vivo model to evaluate their reactivity with thiols and their activity in L5178-Y cells.