Folacin C60 derivative exerts a protective activity against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in rat pheochromocytoma cells.

In the present study, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a novel folacin C(60) derivative. The compound was analyzed by FT-IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, LC-MS and elemental analysis. This water soluble fullerene derivative was able to scavenge both superoxide and hydroxyl radical with biocompatibility. Rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells treated with hydrogen peroxide underwent cytotoxicity and apoptotic death determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis. As a novel derivative of C(60), the folacin C(60) derivative self-assembled to form spherical aggregates in H(2)O. Because the compound was amphiphilic, it could penetrate the cell membrane and play its distinguished role in protecting PC12 cells against hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity. The results suggest that folacin C(60) derivative has the potential to prevent oxidative stress-induced cell death without evident toxicity.