M50054, 2,2'-methylenebis (1,3-cyclohexanedione), is a novel inhibitor of apoptosis. [1]

In human Fas-expressing WC8 cells, M50054 inhibited apoptosis by soluble human Fas ligand in vitro cell death assay. M50054 inhibited the apoptotic U937 cell death which is a human monocytic leukemic cell line, induced by anticancer agents such as etoposide. M50054 inhibited apoptotic characters such as DNA phosphatidylserine and fragmentation exposure in these cells. These anti-apoptotic effects were dependent on inhibition of caspase-3 activation. Additionally, M50054 significantly inhibited anti-Fas-antibody-induced elevation of plasma aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase. Alopecia (hair loss) symptoms were also significantly improved with topical treatment with M50054. M50054 inhibits apoptosis induced by a variety of stimuli via inhibition of caspase-3 activation, and may thus be effective for hepatitis and chemotherapy-induced alopecia. [1]

Reference:
[1].Tsuda T, Ohmori Y, Muramatsu H et al. Inhibitory effect of M50054, a novel inhibitor of apoptosis, on anti-Fas-antibody-induced hepatitis and chemotherapy-induced alopecia.Eur J Pharmacol. 2001 Dec 14;433(1):37-45.