Antiproliferative and uncoupling effects of delocalized, lipophilic, cationic gallic acid derivatives on cancer cell lines. Validation in vivo in singenic mice.

Tumor cells principally exhibit increased mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨ(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.