TQFL13 is a derivative of Thymoquinone (TQ) with notable anti-breast cancer activity. It exhibits higher cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells (BT549, MDA-MB-231, 4T1), induces apoptosis, and arrests the cell cycle at the S and G2/G1 phases. TQFL13 demonstrates dose-dependent antitumor activity in murine breast cancer xenograft models and is useful for breast cancer research.

TQFL13 exhibits cytotoxicity against BT549, MDA-MB-231, and 4T1 breast cancer cells with low toxicity to normal MCF-10A cells. At concentrations of 0-160 μM over 24 hours, the IC50 values are 23.80 μM, 37.55 μM, 17.59 μM, and >100 μM respectively; at 48 hours, the IC50 values alter to 12.35 μM, 12.14 μM, 12.21 μM, and >100 μM. At concentrations of 0-20 μM for 24 hours, TQFL13 induces apoptosis in 4T1 cells and causes cell cycle arrest in BT549 and MDA-MB-231 cells at the S phase and G2/G1 phase. Additionally, TQFL13, at 2.5-5 μM for up to 54 hours, inhibits the growth, migration, and invasion of 4T1 cells.

TQFL13 (3.75-15 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection, from the 4th day after 4T1 cell implantation in the mammary fat pad until the 30th day) exhibits antitumor activity in a BALB/c mouse xenograft model of breast cancer.