Pifithrin-α, p-Nitro, Cyclic (PFN-α) is cell-permeable and active-form p53 inhibitor. Pifithrin-α, p-Nitro, Cyclic is one order magnitude more active than Pifithrin-α in protecting cortical neurons exposed to Etoposide (ED50=30 nM). Pifithrin-α, p-Nitro, Cyclic behaves as a p53 posttranscriptional activity inhibitor. Pifithrin-α, p-Nitro, Cyclic do not prevent p53 phosphorylation on the S15 residue.