DERIVATIVES OF GALLIC ACID INDUCE APOPTOSIS IN TUMORAL CELL-LINES ANDINHIBIT LYMPHOCYTE-PROLIFERATION

The effect of gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid) and its alkyl esters (methyl, propyl, octyl, and lauryl) has been studied on severa l tumoral and nontumoral cells. Three types of behavior have been obse rved; the first type is represented by the mouse B cell lymphoma Wehi 231 cell line in which death occurs according to the biochemical chara cteristics of classical apoptosis showing the DNA ladder fragmentation pattern. The second type is represented by the mouse fibroblast L929 cell line in which morphological characteristics such as cell shrinkag e, chromatin condensation, and appearance of apoptotic bodies can be e videnced by microscopical observation. However, the typical DNA fragme ntation is absent. Peripheral blood lymphocytes are representative of a third type of behavior, In a resting state they can withstand higher concentrations of these compounds. If the drug is washed, they prolif erate normally upon the addition of the mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PH A). However, if the drug is added in the presence of PHA, a clear anti proliferative effect can be demonstrated. A special interest for these compounds stems from the fact that some of them are currently used as antioxidant food additives with the European Community codes E-310 (p ropylgallate), E-311 (octylgallate), and E-312 (laurylgallate). (C) 19 98 Academic Press.