Synthesis of bioactive 28-hydroxy-3-oxolup-20(29)-en-30-al with antileukemic activity

Exploration and biological evaluation of 20-vinyl pregnenes: A step forward toward selective modulators of the estrogen receptor α signaling for breast cancer treatment

A series of D-ring modified steroids bearing a vinyl ketone pendant were synthesized and evaluated for antiproliferative activity against breast cancer cell line and cytochromes P450. The lead compound, 21-vinyl 20-keto-pregnene (2f) (IC50 = 2.4 µM), was shown to be a promising candidate for future anticancer drug design, particularly against estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive breast cancer. The lead compound was found to have a significant effect on the signaling pathways in parental and 4-hydroxytamoxifen-resistant cells. Compound 2f modulated the ERK, cyclin D1, and CDK4 pathways and blocked the expression of ERα, the main driver of breast cancer growth. Compound 2f significantly reduced 17β-estradiol-induced progesterone receptor expression. Accumulation of cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase in cells treated with compound 2f indicated induction of apoptosis. The selectivity analysis showed that lead compound 2f produces no significant effects on cytochromes P450, CYP19A1, CYP21A2, and CYP7B1.

Recent Advances Regarding the Molecular Mechanisms of Triterpenic Acids: A Review (Part II)

Triterpenic acids are a widespread class of phytocompounds which have been found to possess valuable therapeutic properties such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, lipolytic, antiviral, and antiparasitic effects. They are a subclass of triterpenes bearing a characteristic lipophilic structure that imprints unfavorable in vivo properties which subsequently limit their applications. The early investigation of the mechanism of action (MOA) of a drug candidate can provide valuable information regarding the possible side effects and drug interactions that may occur after administration. The current paper aimed to summarize the most recent (last 5 years) studies regarding the MOA of betulinic acid, boswellic acid, glycyrrhetinic acid, madecassic acid, moronic acid, and pomolic acid in order to provide scientists with updated and accessible material on the topic that could contribute to the development of future studies; the paper stands as the sequel of our previously published paper regarding the MOA of triterpenic acids with therapeutic value. The recent literature published on the topic has highlighted the role of triterpenic acids in several signaling pathways including PI3/AKT/mTOR, TNF-alpha/NF-kappa B, JNK-p38, HIF-α/AMPK, and Grb2/Sos/Ras/MAPK, which trigger their various biological activities.

Betulinic Acid and its Derivatives as Potential Antitumor Agents

Betulinic acid (BA) is a lupane-type pentacyclic triterpene, distributed ubiquitously throughout the plant kingdom. BA and its derivatives demonstrate multiple bioactivities, particularly an antitumor effect. This review critically describes the recent research on isolation, synthesis, and derivatization of BA and its natural analogs betulin and 23-hydroxybetulinic acid. The subsequent part of the review focuses on the current knowledge of antitumor properties, combination treatments, and pharmacological mechanisms of these compounds. A 3D-QSAR analysis of 62 BA derivatives against human ovarian cancer A2780 is also included to provide information concerning the structure-cytotoxicity relationships of these compounds.

Synthesis and in vitro Screening of 29, 30-Dibromo-28-oxoallobetulin against Parasitic Protozoans, Leishmania donovani and Leishmania Major

A simple synthesis and in vitro antileishmanial activity of 29,30-dibromo-28-oxoallobetulin against the parasitic protozoans, Leishmania donovani and Leishmania major is described. The structure of the compound is established on the basis of spectral data (IR, NMR, MS). Both the antiproliferative effect and the cell cycle progression were studied.

Isolation, Structural Modification, and HIV Inhibition of Pentacyclic Lupane-Type Triterpenoids from Cassine xylocarpa and Maytenus cuzcoina

As a part of our investigation into new anti-HIV agents, we report herein the isolation, structure elucidation, and biological activity of six new (1-6) and 20 known (7-26) pentacyclic lupane-type triterpenoids from the stem of Cassine xylocarpa and root bark of Maytenus cuzcoina. Their stereostructures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and spectrometric methods, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques. To gain a more complete understanding of the structural requirements for anti-HIV activity, derivatives 27-48 were prepared by chemical modification of the main secondary metabolites. Sixteen compounds from this series displayed inhibitory effects of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication with IC50 values in the micromolar range, highlighting compounds 12, 38, and 42 (IC50 4.08, 4.18, and 1.70 μM, respectively) as the most promising anti-HIV agents.

Four new triterpenoids isolated from the resin of Garcinia hanburyi

Four new triterpenoids, 2-O-acetyl-3-O-(4'-O-acetyl)-α-l-arabinopyranosylmaslinic acid (1), 2-O-acetyl-3-O-(3'-O-acetyl)-α-l-arabinopyranosylmaslinic acid (2), 2-O-acetyl-3-O-(3',4'-O-diacetyl)-α-l-arabinopyranosylmaslinic acid (3), and 3-O-(3'-O-acetyl)-α-l-arabinopyranosyloleanolic acid (4), together with six known triterpenoids, 3-O-(4'-O-acetyl)-α-l-arabinopyranosyloleanolic acid (5), maslinic acid (6), 2-O-acetylmaslinic acid (7), 3-O-acetylmaslinic acid (8), betulinic acid (9), and 2α-hydroxy-3β-O-acetylbetulinic acid (10), were isolated from the EtOAc extract of Garcinia hanburyi resin. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of the spectroscopic data and chemical methods.