Synthesis of D-Ring Annulated Pyridosteroids from β-Formyl Enamides and Their Biological Evaluations

Guggulsterone - a potent bioactive phytosteroid: synthesis, structural modification, and its improved bioactivities

Guggulsterone is a phytosteroid derived from the oleo-gum resin of the critically endangered plant Commiphora wightii. This molecule has attracted increasing attention due to its excellent biochemistry potential and the compound has consequently been evaluated in clinical trials. With a low concentration in natural resources but wide medicinal and therapeutic value, chemists have developed several synthetic routes for guggulsterone starting from various steroid precursors. Moreover, numerous studies have attempted to modify its structure to improve the biological properties. Nowadays, green and sustainable chemistry has also attracted more attention for advanced chemical processes and reactions in steroid chemistry. The present review aimed to summarize the literature and provide an update about the improvements in the chemical synthesis and structural modification of guggulsterone from the view of green chemistry. Moreover, this review encompasses the improved activities of structurally modified guggulsterone derivatives. We expect that the information provided here will be useful to researchers working in this field and on this molecule.

Synthesis, biological activities, and future perspectives of steroidal monocyclic pyridines

Steroidal pyridines are a class of compounds that have been the subject of extensive research in recent years due to their potential biological activities. The introduction of a pyridine ring into the steroid skeleton can significantly alter the chemical and biological properties of the compound, making it more potent and/or selective for a particular target. Different synthetic methods have been developed for the preparation of steroidal pyridines. This review provides an overview of the synthesis, biological activities, and future perspectives of steroidal monocyclic dihydropyridines, tetrahydropyridines, and pyridines from 2005 to the present. The different synthetic methods that have been developed for the preparation of these steroids are discussed, as well as the proposed mechanisms and the biological activities that have been reported. Finally, the potential of steroidal monocyclic pyridines for the development of new drugs is discussed. This review is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the field of steroidal monocyclic pyridines for researchers and scientists who are interested in this area of research. It is also hoped that this review will stimulate further research into the synthesis and biological activities of steroidal pyridines to develop new and improved drugs for the treatment of diseases.

Potential Therapeutic Agents on Alzheimer's Disease through Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Plant-Based Compounds

Globally Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a highly complex, heterogeneous, and multifactorial neurological disease. AD is categorized clinically through a steady loss in memory and progressive decline of cognitive function. So far, there is no effective cure is available for the treatment of AD. Here, we identified Plant-based compounds (PBCs) from seven therapeutic plants through pharmacophore and pharmacokinetics approaches. Subsequently, we retrieved 65 AD associated proteins by Text Mining approach .We observed the interactions between 39 PBCs with 65 AD-associated targets by using molecular docking. Further, we carried out Molecular dynamics simulation analysis to predict the steady binding of top drug-target complexes. The entire MD simulation results analysis was evidence that seven drug-target complexes consistently interacted during the in silico experiment. The top complexes were the target CHLE interacted with 2 PBCs (Pseudojujubogenin and Anahygrine), target VDAC1 interacted with Withanolide R, target THOP1 interacted with Withaolide R, target AOFB interacted with 2 PBCs (Nardostachysin and Viscosalactone B), and target ACHE interacted with the drug (12-Deoxywithastramonolide). These PBCs have stably and flexibly interacted at the protein's active site region. Our results suggest that these PBCs and targets are potential therapeutic candidates for molecular development in AD.

Recent advances on synthesis and biological activities of C-17 aza-heterocycle derived steroids

Steroids modification for improving their biological activities is one of the most efficient and fruitful methods to develop novel medicines. Steroids with aza-heterocycles attaching to the C-17 owing various biological activities have received great attentions and some of the compounds are developed successfully as drugs. In this review, the research of the syntheses and biological activities of steroids bearing various aza-heterocycles published in the last 8 years is assembled, and some important structure-activity relationships (SARs) of active compounds are presented. According to the analysis of the literatures and our experiences in this field, the potential of aza-heterocyclic steroids as medicinal drugs is proposed.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 17-cyanopyridine derivatives of pregnenolone as potential anti-prostate cancer agents

A series of new 17-cyanopyridine derivatives of pregnenolone have been synthesized, and their anti-proliferative activities against different human cancer cell lines were tested. The extensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) data suggested that the introduction of 2-amino-4-aryl-3-cyanopyridine to the D ring of pregnenolone may increase the anti-cancer activity. Among the products, the most potent compound 4j exhibited good growth inhibition against all the tested cells especially for PC- 3 cells with an IC50 value of 2.0 μM. Further mechanistic studies showed that 4j inhibited the formation of cell colonies and migration, increased the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PC-3 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and induced necroptosis through the phosphorylation of receptor interacting protein 1/3 (P-RIP1/3) and phosphorylation of mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (P-MLKL) pathway. The 17-pregnenolone cyanopyridine derivatives hold promising potential as anti-proliferative agents, and the most potent compound could be used as a starting point for the development of new steroidal heterocycles with improved anticancer potency and selectivity.