Novel alkyl cationic glycerolipids with a heterocyclic polar domain induce disturbances of the cell cycle and the death of human leukemia cells

A series of novel alkyl cationic glycerolipids with a heterocyclic polar domain have been synthesized. The most reactive compound, rac-N-{4-[(2-ethoxy-3-octadecyloxy)prop-1-yloxycarbonyl]butyl}-N′-ethylimidazolium iodide, at micromolar concentrations induced a delay of the cell cycle in the G1 phase, DNA fragmentation, and the apoptosis of human leukosis cells.