Tuning of α-Silyl Carbocation Reactivity into Enone Transposition: Application to the Synthesis of Peribysin D, E-Volkendousin, and E-Guggulsterone.

A reliable method for enone transposition has been developed with the help of silyl group masking. Enantio-switching, substituent shuffling, and Z-selectivity are the highlights of the method. The developed method was applied for the first total synthesis of peribysin D along with its structural revision. Formal synthesis of E-guggulsterone and E-volkendousin was also claimed using a short sequence.

A Convenient Synthesis of (16S,20S)-3ß-hydroxy-5α-pregnane-20,16-carbolactam and its N-alkyl Derivatives.

A concise synthesis of (16S,20S)-3ß-hydroxy-5α-pregnane-20,16-carbolactam from tigogenin via the corresponding lactone is described. The most efficient synthetic route consisted of the lactone ring-opening with aminoalane reagent followed by PDC or Dess-Martin oxidation. The oxo-amide obtained was subjected to cyclization with Et3SiH/TFA or Et3SiH/Bi(TfO)3. Alternately, the lactone was converted first to the oxo-acid, which was then subjected to the microwave-assisted reductive amination. N-Alkyl derivatives were also obtained in a similar way.

Molecular rearrangements of poststerone derivative steroid core with formation of unique D-homostructures of pregnane and androstane series.

20R-Hydroxy short-chain ecdysteroids were synthesized by chemo- and stereoselective reduction of poststerone acetonide with L-Selectride or LiAlH4. The same reaction with the excess of L- Selectride followed by the treatment of the reaction mixture with hydrochloric acid is accompanied by (8R)-13(14 → 8)abeo- rearrangements, which resulted in the contraction/expansion of C/D pregnane rings. The reaction of 20R-hydroxy poststerone analogs with (diethylamino)sulfur trifluoride (DAST) proceeds through intramolecular rearrangements and provides D-homo- or 13,14-seco- androstane structures.

In vitro modulation of multidrug resistance by pregnane steroids and in vivo inhibition of tumour development by 7α-OBz-11α(R)-OTHP-5ß-pregnanedione in K562/R7 and H295R cell xenografts.

Synthetic progesterone and 5α/ß-pregnane-3,20-dione derivatives were evaluated as in vitro and in vivo modulators of multidrug-resistance (MDR) using two P-gp-expressing human cell lines, the non-steroidogenic K562/R7 erythroleukaemia cells and the steroidogenic NCI-H295R adrenocortical carcinoma cells, both resistant to doxorubicin. The maximal effect in both cell lines was observed for 7α-O-benzoyloxy,11α(R)-O-tetrahydropyranyloxy-5ß-pregnane-3,20-dione 4. This modulator co-injected with doxorubicin significantly decreased the tumour size and increased the survival time of immunodeficient mice xenografted with NCI-H295R or K562/R7 cells.

Alkynes From Furans: A General Fragmentation Method Applied to the Synthesis of the Proposed Structure of Aglatomin†B.

Furans are versatile synthons in organic chemistry. Described is a general method for transforming furans into alkynes by dual C-C double-bond cleavage. The reaction is proposed to proceed by sequential [4+2] cycloaddition between furan and singlet oxygen and a formal retro-(3+2) fragmentation of the endoperoxide intermediate. A wide array of furans, including those derived from sapogenins, are amenable to this reaction, thus providing the corresponding alkynoic acids in up to 88 % yields. The synthetic utility was demonstrated by a seven-step synthesis of the proposed structure of a pregnane natural product, aglatomin B, from a known intermediate.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 3-tetrazolo steroidal analogs: Novel class of 5α-reductase inhibitors.

In the present study, a series of steroidal tetrazole derivatives of androstane and pregnane have been prepared in which the tetrazole moiety was appended at C-3 and 17a-aza locations. 3-Tetrazolo-3,5-androstadien-17-one (6), 3-tetrazolo-19-nor-3,5-androstadien-17-one (10), 3-tetrazolo-3,5-pregnadien-20-one (14), 17a-substituted 3-tetrazolo-17a-aza-D-homo-3,5-androstadien-17-one (26-31) and 3-(2-acetyltetrazolo)-17a-aza-d-homo-3,5-androstadien-17-one (32) were synthesized from dehydroepiandrosterone acetate (1) through multiple synthetic steps. Some of the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their in vitro 5α-reductase (5AR) inhibitory activity by measuring the conversion of [(3)H] androstenedione in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. In vivo 5α-reductase inhibitory activity also showed a significant reduction (p <0.05) in rat prostate weight. The most potent compound 14 showed 5AR-2 inhibition with IC50 being 15.6nM as compared to clinically used drug finasteride (40nM). There was also a significant inhibition of 5AR-1 with IC50 547nM compared to finasteride (453nM).

Scalable C-H Oxidation with Copper: Synthesis of Polyoxypregnanes.

Steroids bearing C12 oxidations are widespread in nature, yet only one preparative chemical method addresses this challenge in a low-yielding and not fully understood fashion: Schönecker's Cu-mediated oxidation. This work shines new light onto this powerful C-H oxidation method through mechanistic investigation, optimization, and wider application. Culminating in a scalable, rapid, high-yielding, and operationally simple protocol, this procedure is applied to the first synthesis of several parent polyoxypregnane natural products, representing a gateway to over 100 family members.

Synthesis of novel 1,2,3-triazolyl derivatives of pregnane, androstane and D-homoandrostane. Tandem "click" reaction/Cu-catalyzed D-homo rearrangement.

Copper-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition has been employed in the reaction of steroidal azides with various terminal alkynes. A number of novel 1,2,3-triazolyl derivatives of pregnane, androstane and D-homoandrostane were obtained in high yield (70-98%). The developed synthetic protocols allowed us to attach the triazolyl moiety to both the side chain and the steroidal backbone directly, despite the steric hindrance exerted by the polycyclic system. The presence of Cu(II) was shown to evoke d-homo rearrangement under mild conditions. A rational choice of the copper precatalyst permitted us to carry out the "click" reaction either along with tandem d-homo rearrangement or in the absence of this process. The tendency of 16-heterosubstituted steroids to undergo D-homo rearrangement under Cu(II) catalysis was studied.

Conversion of tomato saponins to pregnane derivatives.

Here reports new conversions methods of tomato saponins, esculeoside A (1) and a mixture of esculeosides B-1 (2) and B-2 (3), (the latter two were obtained from tomato cans) into pregnane derivative (5) by an alkal treatment followed by acid treatment. Compound 1 or a mixture of 2 and 3 were each refluxed with 1 N KOH to afford a characteristic pyridine steroidal glycoside (4), which was then treated with 2 N HCl-MeOH to afford a pregnane derivative, 3ß-hydroxy-5α-pregn-16-en-20-one (5). The results of the above two reactions indicated that tomato saponins are chemically closely related to pregnane hormones. We assume that the assimilated tomato saponins via the small intestine are metabolized into pregnane derivatives, demonstrating various bioactivities such as anti-cancer, anti-osteoporosis, and anti-menopausal disorder activities.

Synthesis of glaucogenin D, a structurally unique disecopregnane steroid with potential antiviral activity.

The first chemical synthesis of glaucogenin D, a 13,14:14,15-disecopregnane steroid with potential antiviral activity, has been accomplished in 12 steps from a hirundigenin-type intermediate. The present route would also be amenable to the synthesis of natural and unnatural glaucogenin derivatives for SAR studies.

Synthesis of 6-azaprogesterone and 19-hydroxy-6-azasteroids.

19-Hydroxy-6-azapregnanes were obtained from pregnenolone via a 7-azido-5-oxo-6-nor-5,7-secopregnane intermediate. The 6-azapregnane core was built in good yield in a straightforward way from the secosteroid, by means of a Staudinger (aza-Wittig) reaction. Finally the 19-hydroxy-6-azapregnane was transformed into 19-hydroxy-6-azaprogesterone (that cyclized spontaneously to the 19→3 hemiketal) and 6-azaprogesterone. The 6-azapregnanes lacked agonistic/antagonistic activity on the progesterone receptor.

Solid-phase chemical synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation of novel 2ß-piperazino-(20R)-5α-pregnane-3α,20-diol N-derivatives as anti-leukemic agents.

The steroid nucleus is an interesting scaffold for the development of new therapeutic agents. Within the goal of identifying anticancer agents, new pregnane derivatives were prepared by using a sequence of liquid and solid-phase reactions. After we dehydrated epi-allopregnanolone in one step with diethylaminosulfur trifluoride and generated a 2,3α-epoxide, the regio- and stereo-selective aminolysis of this epoxide enabled us to obtain a 2ß-piperazino-pregnane, whose secondary amine was protected as N-Fmoc-derivative. Using the difference in reactivity between OHs 3 and 20, we linked the pregnane nucleus-selectively on the polystyrene diethylbutylsilane resin via the OH in position 20. We next achieved in parallel the coupling of an amino acid (1st level of diversity) and the coupling of a carboxylic acid (2nd level of diversity) to generate two libraries of pregnane derivatives. The compounds inhibited the HL-60 leukemia cell growth and the most potent were three compounds (PD, LPC-37 and LPC-48) with a l-proline as first level of diversity and a cyclohexyl-carbonyl, a naphthalene-2-carbonyl or a 3-acetylbenzoyl as second level of diversity. LPC-48 efficiently inhibited HL-60 cell proliferation with IC(50) value of 1.9 µM and exhibited a low toxicity on normal peripheral blood lymphocytes (IC(50)=31 µM). These results encouraged us to further evaluate the biological activity of these new aminosteroids by investigating their preliminary mechanism of action.

Novel steroid inhibitors of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Novel derivatives of the steroid DHEA 1, a known uncompetitive inhibitor of G6PD, were designed, synthesized, and tested for their ability to inhibit this dehydrogenase enzyme. Several compounds with approximately 10-fold improved potency in an enzyme assay were identified, and this improved activity translated to efficacy in a cellular assay. The SAR for steroid inhibition of G6PD has been substantially developed; the 3ß-alcohol can be replaced with 3ß-H-bond donors such as sulfamide, sulfonamide, urea, and carbamate. Improved potency was achieved by replacing the androstane nucleus with a pregnane nucleus, provided a ketone at C-20 is present. For pregnan-20-ones incorporation of a 21-hydroxyl group is often beneficial. The novel compounds generally have good physicochemical properties and satisfactory in vitro DMPK parameters. These derivatives may be useful for examining the role of G6PD inhibition in cells and will assist the future design of more potent steroid inhibitors with potential therapeutic utility.

Lipases in green chemistry: acylation and alcoholysis on steroids and nucleosides.

In this article, we describe the application of lipases in acylation and alcoholysis reactions on steroids and nucleosides. In the field of steroids, a variety of acetyl and fatty acid derivatives of androstanes, pregnanes, and cholestanes have been prepared through lipase-catalyzed acylation and alcoholysis reactions taking advantage of the high regio- and stereoselectivity of these enzymes. The substrates as well as the products show a high degree of biological activity as neurosteroids, hormones, and glucocorticoids. The regioselective preparation of diacylated nucleosides by means of an enzymatic alcoholysis allowed the synthesis of nucleosides prodrugs or modified nucleosides. The quantitative full deacylation and dealkoxycarbonylation of nucleosides and steroids is a mild synthetic method for the deprotection of these labile compounds. Some of the reported steroid and nucleoside products are novel, and it is not possible to obtain them satisfactorily by following traditional synthetic procedures. The advantages presented by this methodology, such as selectivity, mild reaction conditions, and low environmental impact, make the lipases an important tool in the application of the principles of Green Chemistry, offering a convenient way to prepare derivatives of natural compounds with a great potential in the pharmaceutical industry.

A PAMPA assay as fast predictive model of passive human skin permeability of new synthesized corticosteroid C-21 esters.

The permeation properties of twenty newly synthesized α-alkoxyalkanoyl and α-aryloxyalkanoyl C-21 esters of standard corticosteroids: Fluocinolone acetonide, dexamethasone, triamcinolone acetonide and hydrocortisone were established using a PAMPA assay (70% silicone oil and 30% isopropyl myristate). The data were compared with parent corticosteroids with addition of mometasone furoate and hydrocortisone acetate. All newly synthesized corticosteroid C-21 esters have effective permeability coefficients higher then -6, mostly followed with high values of retention factors and low permeation. The examined compounds were grouped through relationship between obtained retention factors and permeation parameters (groups I-III). The classification confirmed group I (membrane retentions as well as permeation lower then 30%) for all corticosteroid standards except mometasone furoate, a potent topical corticosteroid which, with high membrane retention (81%) and low permeation (7.7%) fits into group III. The largest number of new synthesized corticosteroids C-21 esters, among them all fluocinolone acetonide C-21 esters, have high membrane retentions (32.4%-86.5%) and low permeations (1.3%-27.1%), fitting in group III. The classification was related to previously obtained anti-inflammatory activity data for the fluocinolone acetonide C-21 esters series. According to the PAMPA results the new synthesized esters could be considered as potential new prodrugs with useful benefit/risk ratio.

Conversion of spirostane and solanidane into pregnane (1)introduction of oxygen function into C-23.

A spirosolane derivative possessing a hydroxyl group at C-23, esculeogenin A, a sapogenol of tomato saponin, was found to be easily converted into the corresponding pregnane derivative by refluxing with aqueous pyridine. Therefore, introduction of a hydroxyl group into the C-23 of diosgenin (as representative of spirostane derivatives) and solasodine (as representative of spirosolane derivatives) was attempted by the reaction of NaNO(2)-BF(3) · Et(2)O. In diosgenin, the objective compound was obtained by the reaction in AcOH. However, in solasodine, we obtained a 23-nitroso derivative by the reaction in AcOH and 23,24-bisnorcholanic acid 22-16 lactone, or vespertilin, in AcOH and CHCl(3).

Synthesis of halogenated pregnanes, mechanistic probes of steroid hydroxylases CYP17A1 and CYP21A2.

The human steroidogenic cytochromes P450 CYP17A1 (P450c17, 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase) and CYP21A2 (P450c21, 21-hydroxylase) are required for the biosynthesis of androgens, glucocorticoids, and mineralocorticoids. Both enzymes hydroxylate progesterone at adjacent, distal carbon atoms and show limited tolerance for substrate modification. Halogenated substrate analogs have been employed for many years to probe cytochrome P450 catalysis and to block sites of reactivity, particularly for potential drugs. Consequently, we developed efficient synthetic approaches to introducing one or more halogen atom to the 17- and 21-positions of progesterone and pregnenolone. In particular, novel 21,21,21-tribromoprogesterone and 21,21,21-trichloroprogesterone were synthesized using the nucleophilic addition of either bromoform or chloroform anion onto an aldehyde precursor as the key step to introduce the trihalomethyl moieties. When incubated with microsomes from yeast expressing human CYP21A2 or CYP17A1 with P450-oxidoreductase, CYP21A2 metabolized 17-fluoroprogesterone to a single product, whereas incubations with CYP17A1 gave no products. Halogenated steroids provide a robust system for exploring the substrate tolerance and catalytic plasticity of human steroid hydroxylases.

Norrish-Prins reaction as a key step in the synthesis of 14ß-hydroxy-5α (or 5ß or Δ(5,6))-pregnane derivatives.

Numerous bioactive glycosteroids are characterized by aglycones bearing a 14ß-hydroxy pregnane skeleton like boucerin and isoramanone. In general, the syntheses of the latter are achieved by acidic hydrolysis of the corresponding glycosteroids. These aglycones were also obtained by a combined Norrish type I-Prins reaction starting from the corresponding 12-keto-pregnane derivatives. However, for the Norrish-Prins reaction, no reports describe the influence of the A/B ring junction (cis or trans or Δ(5,6) double bond) or the influence of the substitution pattern at position 20. Herein, we describe the use of Norrish type I-Prins reactions to synthesize isoramanone and boucerin derivatives and their A/B cis and trans analogs. The influence of the parameters mentioned above is also presented. These studies showed that the A/B ring junction has little influence on the Norrish type I-Prins reaction but that the substitution pattern at position 20 is important. The presence of a dioxolane group induced not only the formation of the desired 14ß-hydroxy pregnane derivatives in the highest yields but also the formation of new spiro derivatives.

Biological activity and ligand binding mode to the progesterone receptor of A-homo analogues of progesterone.

The biological activity of two seven-membered A-ring (A-homo) analogues of progesterone was evaluated by transactivation assays in Cos-1 cells and by determination of Bcl-x(L) expression levels in T47D cells. The results show that both compounds act as selective progesterone receptor (PR) agonists but lack mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activity. Molecular modelling using semiempirical AM1 and ab initio HF/6-31G** calculations, showed that the A-ring of the A-homo steroids may adopt five different conformations, although only three correspond to low energy conformers. The low energy conformers of each analogue were introduced into the ligand binding pocket of the PR ligand binding domain (LBD) obtained from the PR LBD-progesterone crystal structure. The steroid binding mode was then analyzed using 10 ns of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The PR LBD-progesterone complex was also simulated as a control system. The MD results showed that both A-homo steroids have one conformer that may be properly recognized by the PR, in agreement with the observed progestagen activity. Moreover, the simulation revealed the importance of a water molecule in the formation of a hydrogen bonding network among specific receptor residues and the steroid A-ring carbonyl.

Synthesis and 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of C21 steroids having 1,4-diene or 4,6-diene 20-ones and 4-azasteroid 20-oximes.

The synthesis and evaluation of 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of some 4-azasteroid-20-ones and 20-oximes and 3ß-hydroxy-, 3ß-acetoxy-, or epoxy-substituted C21 steroidal 20-ones and 20-oximes having double bonds in the A and/or B ring are described. Inhibitory activity of synthesized compounds was assessed using 5α-reductase enzyme and [1,2,6,7-³H]testosterone as substrate. All synthesized compounds were less active than finasteride (IC50: 1.2 nM). Three 4-azasteroid-2-oximes (compounds 4, 6 and 8) showed good inhibitory activity (IC50: 26, 10 and 11 nM) and were more active than corresponding 4-azasteroid 20-ones (compounds 3, 5 and 7). 3ß-Hydroxy-, 3ß-acetoxy- and 1α,2α-, 5α,6α- or 6α,7α-epoxysteroid-20-one and -20-oxime derivatives having double bonds in the A and/or B ring showed no inhibition of 5α-reductase enzyme.