Increased effect of benzaldehyde by exchanging the hydrogen in the formyl group with deuterium.

The effect of benzaldehyde and various deuterated forms of benzaldehyde on human cells in culture has been investigated. While deuteration of the hydrogen atoms on the phenyl ring did not influence benzaldehyde's inactivating ability even after as long as 48 h treatment, deuteration of the formyl group resulted in a compound with a stronger inactivating effect than the nondeuterated benzaldehyde. Other cellular responses, such as inhibition of protein synthesis and of cell cycle progression, were also increased with benzaldehyde-d1 as compared to benzaldehyde. Since benzaldehyde is the basis for derivatives of chemotherapeutic interest, we suggest that the deuterated form of benzaldehyde in such derivatives will improve their clinical effects.