Synthesis and characterization of C3 and C17 steroidal amines

Azido analogs of neuroactive steroids

Analogs of pregnanolone (3α-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-20-one), modified in position 17 were prepared. Compounds with 20-keto pregnane side chain replaced completely by azide (17α- and 17β-azido-5β-androstan-3α-ol), compounds with its part replaced (20-azido-21-nor-5β-pregnan-3α-ol), and compounds with keto group only replaced ((20R)- and (20S)-20-azido-5β-pregnan-3α-ol) were synthesized using tosylate displacements with sodium azide or Mitsunobu reaction with azoimide. All five azido steroids were converted into corresponding sulfates. Subsequent tests for inhibition of glutamate induced response on NMDA receptors revealed that modification of pregnanolone sulfate side chain with azide did not disturb the activity and some of sulfates tested were more active than parent compound.

Synthesis and DNA binding properties of C3-, C12-, and C24-substituted amino-steroids derived from bile acids

Seven new amino- and guanidino-substituted steroids have been synthesized from bile acid precursors, either deoxycholic acid or lithocholic acid. Their DNA binding properties have been examined using an ethidium displacement assay, through studies of hyperchromicity and thermal denaturation, and by circular dichroism. Comparison is made to simple aliphatic polyamines such as putrescine, 1,12-diaminododecane, spermidine, and spermine.