4-Methylthiazole triggers apoptosis and mitochondrial disruption in HL-60 cells

Background Thiazole derivatives are gaining prominence in cancer research due to their potent anti-cancer effects and multifaceted biological activities. In leukemia research, these compounds are particularly studied for their ability to induce apoptosis, disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and modulate cell signaling pathways. Methods and results This study investigates the efficacy of 4-Methylthiazole in inducing apoptosis in HL-60 leukemia cells. Apoptosis was quantified via flow cytometry using FITC Annexin V and propidium iodide staining. Mitochondrial disruption was evaluated through alterations in mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) as measured by the JC-1 assay. The compound significantly disrupted MMP, activated Caspase-3, and induced the release of Cytochrome C, all of which are critical markers of apoptosis (****p < 0.0001, ***p < 0.001, **p < 0.01, *p < 0.05). Additionally, treatment with 4-Methylthiazole markedly reduced CD45 and CD123 surface markers, indicating significant phenotypic alterations in leukemia cells (****p < 0.0001).High-dose treatment with 4-Methylthiazole significantly increased ROS levels, suggesting elevated oxidative stress and the presence of intracellular free radicals, contributing to its cytotoxic effects (*p < 0.05). A significant rise in TNF-alpha levels was observed post-treatment, indicating a pro-inflammatory response that may further inhibit leukemia cell viability. While IL-6 levels remained unchanged, a dose-dependent decrease in IL-10 levels was noted, suggesting a reduction in immunosuppressive conditions within the tumor microenvironment (*p < 0.05). Conclusions Overall, 4-Methylthiazole targets leukemia cells through multiple apoptotic mechanisms and modifies the immune landscape of the tumor microenvironment, enhancing its therapeutic potential. This study highlights the need for further clinical investigation to fully exploit the potential of thiazole derivatives in leukemia treatment.