Boc-D-FMK is a cell-permeable, irreversible and broad spectrum caspase inhibitor; inhibits apoptosis stimulated by TNF-α with an IC₅₀ of 39 µM.

Apoptosis is a pathway of cell death orchestrated by a family of proteases called caspases. Boc-D-fmk inhibits TNFα-stimulated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Boc-D-FMK inhibits apoptosis stimulated by TNF-α with an IC₅₀ of 39 µM^[1]. BocD-fmk at 50 µM prevents genistein-induced apoptosis of p815 cells. Confocal microscopy shows that the release of mitochondrial apoptotic factors is inhibited by BocD-fmk^[2].

Boc-D-FMK-fmk effectively attenuates the hepatocyte apoptosis in bile duct-ligated rats and may improve the survival rates after endotoxin challenge^[3]. A single injection of Boc-D-FMK results in longterm protection of MNs against root avulsion-induced death for more than 8 weeks and the Boc-D-FMK-treated MNs are able to regenerate their axons into an implanted PN graft and reinnervate the target muscle^[4].

• [1]. Cowburn AS, et al. z-VAD-fmk augmentation of TNF alpha-stimulated neutrophil apoptosis is compound specific and does not involve the generation of reactive oxygen species.

  [2]. Yee SB, et al. zVAD-fmk, unlike BocD-fmk, does not inhibit caspase-6 acting on 14-3-3/Bad pathway in apoptosis of p815 mastocytoma cells. Exp Mol Med. 2006 Dec 31;38(6):634-42.

  [3]. Sheen-Chen SM, et al. Effect of Boc-D-Fmk on hepatocyte apoptosis after bile duct ligation in rat and survival rate after endotoxin challenge. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 Aug;23(8 Pt 1):1276-9.

  [4]. Chan YM, et al. Inhibition of caspases promotes long-term survival and reinnervation by axotomized spinal motoneurons of denervated muscle in newborn rats. Exp Neurol. 2003 Jun;181(2):190-203.