Ester derivatives of gallic acid with potential toxicity toward L1210 leukemia cells.

Gallic acid and gallates with the same number of hydroxyl groups and varying the length of the side carbon chain, with respective lipophilicity being defined through the ClogP values, were examined for their ability to induce apoptosis (through the DNA ladder fragmentation pattern), mitochondrial and cytoplasmic GSH depletion and NF-kappaB activation in murine lymphoblastic L1210 leukemia cells. A relationship between cytotoxic effect and a limited degree of lipophilicity was observed.