Cytotoxic androstane derivatives from Sarcococca ruscifolia.

Sarcorusones A-D (1-4), four new androstane (C19-steroid) derivatives were characterized from Sarcococca ruscifolia along with five known compounds. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive MS and NMR spectroscopic analysis. All the new structures share common 14-hydroxyl and 17-ketone functional groups, and compounds 2-4 feature a seneciamide group connecting to C-3 position. The inhibitory activities of all the isolates against melanoma cell B16F10 and lung cancer cell H1299 were evaluated, and compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activities against B16F10 and H1299 cell lines with IC50 values 2.7-8.0 µM.

New A-homo lactam D-homo lactone androstane derivative: Synthesis and evaluation of cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro.

This paper describes the synthesis of a new A-homo lactam D-homo lactone androstane derivative from dehydroepiandrosterone. To evaluate the impact of the introduction of nitrogen in the parental scaffold on biological activity, a new androstane enamide-type lactam derivative was prepared and characterized. The new compound as well as starting compounds were screened for cytotoxic, anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory activities using several human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, PC3, CEM, G-361, HeLa), endothelial (HUVEC) and non-tumour (MRC-5 and BJ) cell lines. Strong cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activity with a broad therapeutical window was demonstrated by the A-homo lactam D-homo lactone androstane derivative. The induction of apoptosis in treated PC3 cultures was confirmed using apoptotic morphology screening and a fluorescent double-staining method. New A-homo lactam D-homo lactone androstane derivative induced apoptosis more than the tested reference compounds, Formestane and Doxorubicin. An in silico ADME analysis showed that the compounds possess drug-like properties.

A new androstanoid metabolite from a soil fungus Curvularia borreriae strain HS-FG-237.

A new androstanoid metabolite, 4α-methyl-9α-methoxyandrosta-8,15-diene-3,17-dione (1), was isolated from a soil fungus Curvularia borreriae (Pleosporaceae) strain HS-FG-237. Its structure was determined by extensive spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction analyses. Compound 1 exhibited poor cytotoxicity toward HCT-116 cells by CCK-8 assay and weak anti-inflammatory activity in an ANA-1 murine macrophages model.

Quantitative determination of 26 steroids in eggs from various species using liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole-mass spectrometry.

A method for analyzing 26 types of steroids in egg matrix was developed. The method used liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in electrospray ionization mode (ESI). The procedure involved extraction with acetonitrile and removal of phospholipids by zinc chloride (ZnCl2) followed by SPE cleanup with a Plexa cartridge. The effect of ZnCl2 on phospholipid removal was directly observed using the post column infusion procedure. The SPE washing and elution conditions were optimized using a shallow gradient procedure. The free and conjugated steroids forms were determined using enzyme hydrolysis. The developed method resulted in satisfactory precision (RSD≤15%), and the limits of quantification were between 0.05 and 25 ng/g depending on the steroid types. The recoveries ranged from 63.2% to 121.5%. Finally, the developed method was successfully applied to compare the steroids in eggs from different species (i.e., hen, duck, quail and pigeon eggs) or different raising system (i.e., normal vs. organic eggs). The steroids can be clearly clustered according to species and raising system. The hierarchical clustering analysis indicated similarity of the steroids among the species. The developed method is sensitive and useful for detection and quantification of steroids in eggs and can be used for residue control programs. In addition, the observed steroid content will provide a fundamental reference for food risk assessment analysis.

Androstanes and pregnanes from Trichilia emetica ssp. suberosa J.J. de Wilde.

Four pregnanes: 1-methoxy-pregnan-17(R)-1,4-dien-3,16-dione (1), 1-methoxy-pregnan-17(S)-1,4-dien-3,16-dione (2), 2,3-seco-pregnan-17(S)-2,3-dioic acid-16-oxo-dimethyl ester (4), 2α,3α,16α-trihydroxy-5α-pregnan-17(R)-20-yl acetate (7), three androstanes: 1-methoxy-androstan-1,4-dien-3,16-dione (3), 2,3-seco-androstan-2,3-dioic acid-16-oxo-dimethyl ester (5), 3-methoxycarbonyl-2,3-seco-androstan-3-oic acid-16-oxo-2,19-lactone (6), together with three known pregnane derivatives, were isolated from the roots of Trichilia emetica ssp. suberosa. Their structures were determined by means of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry analysis, as well as by quantum chemical calculations.

3-Oxoandrosta-4,6-dien-17beta-yl 2-methyl-1H-imidazole-1-carboxylate and 3-oxo-5alpha-androst-17beta-yl 2-methyl-1H-imidazole-1-carboxylate: C-H...pi and pi-pi intermolecular interactions.

The title compounds, C(24)H(30)N(2)O(3), (I), and C(24)H(34)N(2)O(3), (II), both contain an androstane backbone and a 2-methylimidazole-1-carboxylate moiety at the 17-position. Compound (I) contains two symmetry-independent molecules (denoted 1 and 2), while compound (II) contains just one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The C-C-O-C torsion angle that reflects the twisting of the 2-methylimidazole-1-carboxylate moiety from the mean steroid plane is 143.1 (2) degrees for molecule 1 of (I), 73.1 (3) degrees for molecule 2 of (I) and 86.63 (17) degrees for (II). The significance of this study lies in its observation of significant differences in both molecular conformation and supramolecular aggregation between the molecules of the title compounds. The solid-state conformations compared with those obtained theoretically from ab initio methods for the isolated molecules show large differences, especially in the orientation of the methylimidazole substituent.

Statistical assessment of solvent mixture models used for separation of biological active compounds.

Two mathematical models with seven and six parameters have been created for use as methods for identification of the optimum mobile phase in chromatographic separations. A series of chromatographic response functions were proposed and implemented in order to assess and validate the models. The assessment was performed on a set of androstane isomers. Pearson, Spearman, Kendall tau-a,b,c and Goodman-Kruskal correlation coefficients were used in order to identify and to quantify the link and its nature (quantitative, categorical, semi-quantitative, both quantitative and categorical) between experimental values and the values estimated by the mathematical models. The study revealed that the six parameter model is valid and reliable for five chromatographic response factors (retardation factor, retardation factor ordered ascending by the chromatographic peak, resolution of pairs of compound, resolution matrix of successive chromatographic peaks, and quality factor). Furthermore, the model could be used as an instrument in analysis of the quality of experimental data. The results obtained by applying the model with six parameters for deviations of rank sums suggest that the data of the experiment no. 8 are questionable.

Androstane and monoterpene glucoside sinapoyl ester from Cynanchum amplexicaule SIEB. et ZUCC.

A new androstane, 17beta-hydroxy-androsta-4,6,15-trien-3-one (1) and a new monoterpene glucoside sinapoyl ester, (3R)-8-hydroxylinalool 3,8-di-O-beta-D-(6'-O-E-sinapoyl)glucopyranoside (2) were isolated from the roots of Cynanchum amplexicaule SIEB. et ZUCC. (Asclepiadaceae), along with two known monoterpenes, (3R)-8-hydroxylinalool (3) and (6R)-menthiafolic acid (4). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of analyses of physical, chemical, and spectral data.

Cortistatins A, B, C, and D, anti-angiogenic steroidal alkaloids, from the marine sponge Corticium simplex.

Four novel steroidal alkaloids named cortistatins A (1), B (2), C (3), and D (4) consisting of a 9(10-19)-abeo-androstane and isoquinoline skeleton have been isolated from the marine sponge Corticium simplex. The absolute stereostructures of 1-4 were elucidated by detailed 2D NMR, CD, and X-ray crystallographic analyses. Cortistatins A-D inhibited proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with high selectivity. Among the four substances, cortistatin A (1) showed the strongest anti-proliferative activity (IC50 = 0.0018 muM) against HUVECs, in which the selective index was more than 3000-fold in comparison with that of normal fibroblast or several tumor cell lines.

Polychlorinated androstanes from the burrowing sponge Cliona nigricans.

Two new steroidal derivatives, named clionastatins A and B, have been isolated from the burrowing sponge Cliona nigricans. These molecules are tri-and tetrachlorinated androstane derivatives, respectively, and they represent the first polyhalogenated steroids found in a natural organism, either marine or terrestrial, and the first examples of halogenated androstanes in nature. Both clionastatins proved to be potently cytotoxic.

An androstane bioside and 3'-thiazolidinone derivatives of doubly-linked cardenolide glycosides from the roots of Asclepias tuberosa.

Steroidal compounds in the roots of Asclepias tuberosa were investigated and 17alpha-hydroxyandrosta-4,6,15-trien-3-one 17-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, termed ascandroside, was isolated from the CHCl3-soluble fraction. Among five doubly-linked cardenolide glycosides, two were identified as 3'-spiro-linked thiazolidinone (4) and S-oxythiazolidinone derivatives (5) of delta5-calotropin. The stereochemistry at the C-3' in these two cardenolides is discussed. 3'-O-beta-D-Glucopyranosyl-delta5-calotropin (3) was also isolated along with A5-calotropin and its 3'-acetate. Nine glycosides of uzarigenin, coroglaucigenin and corotoxigenin were identified.

Identification of 5 beta-pregnane and 5 beta-androstane derivatives in adrenal venous and peripheral blood plasma of the female possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

In the possum a marked sex difference has been found in the steroids in adrenal venous plasma. Four 5 beta-pregnane and four 5 alpha (beta) androstane derivatives together with ten 4-ene-3-keto steroids were isolated from the adrenal venous plasma of the female and definitively identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major reduced steroids were: 5 beta-pregnane-3 alpha,17 alpha-diol-20-one and 5 beta-pregnane-3 alpha,17 alpha,20 alpha-triol, at concentrations of 52 +/- 12 micrograms/100 ml and 44 +/- 8 micrograms/100 ml mean +/- SEM respectively. The concentration of cortisol was 198 +/- 47 micrograms/100 ml. The concentration of the 2 reduced steroids in peripheral plasma were approx. 100 times less. In contrast the adrenal venous plasma of a male contained 14 steroids of which only three, found in trace amounts, were reduced. The results confirm previous in vitro observations that reduced steroids are produced by the adrenocortical special zone, which is only present in the female. The physiological significance of the presence of reduced steroids of adrenocortical origin in the circulation of the female possum is discussed.

Application of over-run thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography in the separation of closely related C19O2 steroids.

An improved method for the separation of epimeric C19O2 steroids and their related allylic alcohols is described. In this method, the steroids are first separated by over-run thin-layer chromatography, and the unresolved groups are further analysed as free or as trimethylsilyl ether derivatives by gas-liquid chromatography. The behaviour of twenty-one C19O2 steroids was investigated by thin-layer chromatography in four systems and by gas-liquid chromatography in four liquid phases. All steroid pairs of similar polarity were resolved by the combination of these two fractionation procedures.