Cytotoxicity, hemolysis and acute toxicity of 2-hydroxy-3-anilino-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives.

The 1,4-naphthoquinones, important members of the family of quinones are used as both crude extracts and as compound manipulated by the pharmaceutical industry. They have gained great emphasis by presenting different pharmacological properties as antibacterial, antiviral, antiprotozoal and anthelmintic, and has antitumor activity. Our aim was to evaluate the cytotoxicity, hemolytic activity and acute toxicity of three derivatives of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinones. The cell viability against RAW Cell Line displayed IC ranging of 483.5-2044.8 μM, whereas in primary culture tests using murine macrophages, IC were 315.8-1408.0 μM for naphthoquinones derivatives and respectively, besides no hemolysis was observed at the dose tested. The acute toxicity assays exhibited a significant safety margin indicated by a lack of systemic and behavioral toxicity up to 300 mg/kg, and at a dose of 1000 mg/kg the derivatives not triggering signs of toxicity although the compound have promoted hepatic steatosis and hyperemia in kidney tissue. Thereby, these modifications decrease the toxicity of the tested derivatives naphthoquinones, providing a high potential for the development of news drugs.