Effect of acetophenone derived Mannich bases on cellular glutathione level in Jurkat cells. A possible mechanism of action.

The effect of the acetophenone derived mono Mannich bases 1-3 and bis Mannich base 7 (bis derivative of compound 3) on cellular glutathione level was investigated in Jurkat cells. The cells were exposed to the compounds in phosphate buffered saline for 1 h in 37 degrees C with gentle shaking and then glutathione level was measured. Especially, mono Mannich base 3 and its bis derivative 7 decreased total glutathione level in a dose-dependent manner. The results provide further support for the thiol alkylation mechanism explaining the cytotoxic activity of Mannich bases.