MitoCur-1, a curcumin analogue, inhibits the mitochondrial antioxidative enzyme thioredoxin reductase 2 (TrxR2) and possesses electrophilic characteristics with mitochondrial-targeting capabilities. This compound specifically induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, demonstrating antitumor efficacy [1].

MitoCur-1 exhibits selective cytotoxicity to HepG2 and L02 cells, with IC50 values of 1.4 μM and 9.1 μM, respectively [1]. At a concentration of 10 μM for 12 hours, MitoCur-1 induces ROS production and selectively depletes GSH in HepG2 cells [1]. Furthermore, MitoCur-1 (10 μM; 24 h) arrests the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase and inhibits the expression of cell cycle proteins in HepG2 cells [1].

MitoCur-1, administered intraperitoneally at doses of 5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg on an every-other-day schedule for a total of four weeks, suppressed tumor growth in a murine model without affecting body weight [1].