Mechanistic Insights into the Anticancer Action of Novel 2‑Hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone Thiol Derivatives.

ABSTRACT: Oral cavity cancer, with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) representing more than 90% of cases, remains a significant global public health challenge. Novel molecules are urgently needed to combat SCC while reducing adverse effects compared with current therapies. Naphthoquinones, a subgroup of quinones, exhibit diverse pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, and anticancer effects. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxic potential of ten derivatives of α-xyloidone combined with thiols against oral SCC cell lines (SCC-4, SCC-9, and SCC-25). Although eight of these new thionaphthoquinone derivatives were effective against the sensitive SCC-9, only two compounds (7a and 7e) achieved a selectivity index (SI) > 2

SUBMITTER: Santos TB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12444508 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature