Synthesis and Potent Antileukemic Activities of N-Lactylsphingosine and N-Lactyldihydrosphingosine

N-(R)- and N-(S)-Lactylsphingosine and their corresponding dihydrosphingosine derivatives were synthesized. The antileukemic activities of these compounds were measured by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) assay in human leukemia HL-60 cells. N-(R)- and N-(S)-Lactylsphingosine displayed higher activities than N-acetylsphingosine (C2-ceramide, a well-known apoptosis inducer), and their dihydrosphingosine derivatives had slight activities.