The degradation of beta-sitosterol by Pseudomonas sp. NCIB 10590 under aerobic conditions

The bacterial degradation of beta-sitosterol by Pseudomonas sp NCIB 10590 has been studied. Major biotransformation products included 24-ethylcholest-4-en-3-one, androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione, 3-oxochol-4-en-3-one-24-oic acid and 3-oxopregn-4-en-3-one-20-carboxylic acid. Minor products identified were 26-hydroxy-24-ethylcholest-4-en-3-one, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, 3-oxo-24-ethylcholest-4-en-26-oic acid, 3-oxochola-1,4-dien-3-one-24-oic acid, 3-oxopregna-1,4-dien-3-one-20 carboxylic acid and 9 alpha-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione. Studies with selected inhibitors have enabled the elucidation of a comprehensive pathway of beta-sitosterol degradation by bacteria.     

Synthesis of some steroidal oximes, lactams, thiolactams and their antitumor activities

The antiproliferative activity of previously synthesized (Z)-cholest-4-en-6-one oxime (1), (E)-cholest-4-en-6-one oxime (2), 7-aza-B-homocholest-4-en-6-one (3) and 6-aza-B-homocholest-4-en-7-one (4) and newly synthesized 6-thioxo-7-aza-B-homocholest-4-ene (5) and 6-aza-7-thioxo-B-homocholest-4-ene (6) was tested for their possible effects against two human tumor cell lines, cervical carcinoma (HeLa) and chronic myelogenous leukemia (K-562). Compounds 1-6, exerted a dose-dependent antiproliferative effect toward cell lines used in experimental design, showing high selectivity in their action for tumor cells in comparison to normal immunocompetent cells (non-stimulated PBMC and PHA-stimulated PBMC). Compounds 2, 3 and 4 exhibited a very high but selective antitumor activity, by inducing apoptosis in sensitive, for that purpose targeted tumor cell line (HeLa cells). Low toxic effect upon both non-stimulated, and PHA stimulated PBMCs from control, healthy volunteers, has been detected for compounds 1, 2, 3 and 4. The possible reasons for profound differences in the effects of this spectrum of steroidal compounds between tumor cell lines and normal stimulated and non-stimulated PBMCs are discussed. The molecular mechanisms for apoptotic events in HeLa cell line are suggested. The guidelines for further research are underlined.     

New polyoxygenated steroids from the Antarctic octocoral Dasystenella acanthina

The chemical study of the Antarctic octocoral Dasystenella acanthina has led to the isolation of the new polyoxygenated steroids (24R,22E)-24-hydroxycholest-4,22-dien-3-one (1), 23-acetoxy-24,25-epoxycholest-4-en-3-one (2), 12beta-acetoxycholest-4-en-3,24-dione (3), 12beta-acetoxy-24,25-epoxycholest-4-en-3-one (4), (22E)-25-hydroxy-24-norcholest-4,22-dien-3-one (5), 3alpha-acetoxy-25-hydroxycholest-4-en-6-one (6), and 3alpha,11alpha-diacetoxy-25-hydroxycholest-4-en-6-one (7), whose structures have been established by spectroscopic analysis. The absolute stereochemistry at C-24 in compound 1 has been determined through the 1H NMR study of the corresponding (R)- and (S)-MPA esters. All the new compounds showed significant activities as growth inhibitors of several human tumor cell lines. In addition, cytostatic and cytotoxic effects were also observed on selected tumor cell lines.     

Occurrence of Potential Brassinosteroid Precursor Steroids in Seeds of Wheat and Foxtail Millet

Triticum aestivum L.) and foxtail millet (Setaria italica Beauv.) were found by GC-MS to contain, in addition to bulk sterols, 4-en-3-one steroids including 24-ethylcholesta-4,24(28)Z- dien-3-one (a new steroid), 24-methylcholest-4-en-3-one, 24-ethylcholesta-4,22E-dien-3-one and 24-ethylcholest-4-en-3-one, as well as 5α-steroidal 3-one compounds including 24-methyl-5α-cholestan-3-one, 24-ethyl-5α-cholestan-3-one and 24-ethyl 5α-cholest-22E-en-3-one (in S. italica only). Analysis of free sterol and steryl ester fractions indicated that campestanol and sitostanol were present at high levels in both seeds. These results suggest that the seeds of T. aestivum and S. italica synthesize campestanol from campesterol via 24-methylcholest-4-en-3-one and 24-methyl-5α-cholestan-3-one as has already been demonstrated in Arabidopsis thaliana L., and also produce sitostanol from sitosterol via 24-ethylcholest-4-en-3-one and 24-ethyl-5α-chotestan-3-one. Biosynthetic relationships of campestanol and sitostanol with C₂₈ and C₂₉ brassinosteroids are discussed. Received 4 September 1998/ Accepted in revised form 26 November 1998     

Flavaglines and triterpenoids from the leaves of Aglaia forbesii

Three structurally complex flavaglines of the cyclopenta[bc]benzopyran type, named desacetylpyramidaglains A, C, D (1-3), and the triterpene 23, 24, 25-trihydroxycycloartan-3-one (4) were isolated from the leaves of Aglaia forbesii together with the two rare pregnane steroids 2beta,3beta-dihydroxy-5alpha-pregn-17(Z)-en-16-one and 2beta,3beta-dihydroxy-5alpha-pregn-17(E)-en-16-one, as well as the bisamide pyramidatine, the sesquiterpene spathulenol, and the widespread triterpenoids lupeol, lupenone, and a mixture of beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol. Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Compounds 3, 4, 5, and 6 were tested for antituberculosis and antiviral activity.     

Synthesis and cytotoxic analysis of some disodium 3β,6β-dihydroxysterol disulfates

Disodium 3β,6β-dihydroxy-5α-cholestane disulfate (1) was synthesized in 4 steps with a high overall yield from cholesterol. First, cholesterol (4a) was converted to cholest-4-en-3,6-dione (5a) via oxidation with pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC) and then 5a was reduced by NaBH₄ in the presence of NiCl₂ to produce cholest-3β,6β-diol (6a). The reaction of 6a with the triethylamine-sulfur trioxide complex generated diammonium 3β,6β-dihydroxy-5α-cholestane disulfate (7a) and the treatment of 7a by cation exchange resin 732 (sodium form)(Na⁺) yielded the target steroid 1. Disodium 24-ethyl-3β,6β-dihydroxycholest-22-ene disulfate (2) and disodium 24-ethyl-3β,6β-dihydroxycholestane disulfate (3) were synthesized using a similar method. The cytotoxicity of these compounds against Sk-Hep-1 (human liver carcinoma cell line), H-292 (human lung carcinoma cell line), PC-3 (human prostate carcinoma cell line) and Hey-1B (human ovarian carcinoma cell line) cells was investigated. Our results indicate that presence of a cholesterol-type side chain at position 17 is necessary for their biological activity.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of A-homo-lactam derivatives of cholic acid and 7-deoxycholic acid

Using cholic acid and deoxycholic acid as starting materials, a series of 3-aza-A-homo-4-one bile acid and 7-deoxycholic acid derivatives were synthesized by the esterification, oxidation, reduction, oximation and Beckman rearrangement etc. The cytotoxicity of the synthesized compounds against MGC 7901 (human ventriculi carcinoma cell line), hela (human cervical carcinoma cell line), SMMC 7404 (human liver carcinoma cell line) were investigated. The results showed that bile acid and 7-deoxycholic-acid derivatives with 3-aza-A-homo-4-one configuration bearing a 6-hydroximino or 12-hydroximino group displayed a distinct cytotoxicity to Hela tumor cell line. In particular, the IC₅₀ values of the compounds 6 and 13 were 14.3 and 24.3  μmol/L against Hela human tumor cell line respectively. The information obtained from the studies may be useful for the design of novel chemotherapeutic drugs.     

Cytotoxic derivatives of (22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmastane

(22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one, (22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmast-4-en-3,6-dione, (22R,23R)-3beta,5alpha,6beta,22,23-pentahydroxystigmastane, (22R,23R)-5alpha,6alpha-oxido-3beta,22,23-trihydroxystigmastane, (22R,23R)-5beta,6beta-oxido-3beta,22,23-trihydroxystigmastane, and (22R,23R)-3beta,6beta,22,23-tetrahydroxystigmast-4-ene were synthesized. Their cytotoxicities were comparatively studied using the MCF-7 line of carcinoma cells of human mammary gland and cells of human hepatoma of the Hep G2 line.     

Cytotoxic lupane-type triterpenoids from Acacia mellifera

One new and eight previously described lupane-type metabolites were isolated for the first time from Acacia mellifera (Leguminosae). Based on spectral analyses, the structure of the new compound was elucidated as 28-hydroxy-3-oxo-lup-20-(29)-en-30-al (1), while the known compounds were identified as 3-oxo-lup-20-(29)-en-30-al (2), 3-hydroxy-lup-20-(29)-en-30-al (3), 28-hydroxy-lup-20-(29)-en-3-one (4), lupenone (5), lupeol (6), betulin (7), betulinic acid (8), and betulonic acid (9). Metabolites 2, 3, and 4 are reported for the first time in the Leguminosae family. The cytotoxicity of the isolated metabolites was evaluated on the NSCLC-N6 cell line, derived from a human non-small-cell bronchopulmonary carcinoma. Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited significant levels of activity.     

Nucleosteroids: carbocyclic nucleoside analogs of androst-4-en-17 beta-ol

Steroidal nucleoside analogs were synthesized starting from testosterone. By reduction of the oxime of 17 beta-hydroxy-androst-4-en-3-one (testosterone), a mixture of the two amino epimers of C-3 were obtained. The 3 alpha-amino-androst-4-en-17 beta-ol was crystallized in 73% yield and coupled with 5-amino-4,6-dichloropyrimidine to give 3 alpha-(5'-amino-4'-chloro-pyrimidin-6'-yl)amino-androst-4-en-17 beta-ol. This compound was treated with triethyl orthoformate in acid media to give the corresponding purinyl steroid adduct 3 alpha-(6'-chloro-purin-9'-yl)-androst-4-en-17 beta-ol in 98% yield. This substance, in turn, was converted with good yield into the 6'-thio, 6'-methylamino, and 6'-diethyl aminopurinyl derivatives through nucleophilic reactions at C-6 of the purine nucleus.     

Isolation of five new 5 alpha-hydroxy-6-keto-delta 7 sterols from the marine sponge Oscarella lobularis

Five novel sterols isolated from the marine sponge Oscarella lobularis have been identified on the basis of spectral arguments: cholest-7-ene-3beta,5alpha-diol-6-one (1), cholesta-7,22E-diene-3beta, 5alpha-diol-6-one (2), 24-methylcholesta-7,22E-diene-3beta,5alpha-diol-6-one (3), 24-methylcholesta-7,24(28)-diene-3beta,5alpha-diol-6-one (4), and 24-ethylcholest-7-ene-3beta,5alpha-diol-6-one (5).     

Potential cancer chemopreventive constituents of the leaves of Macaranga triloba

Activity-guided fractionation of the leaves of Macaranga triloba, using an in vitro bioassay based on the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2, resulted in the isolation of a rotenoid, 4,5-dihydro-5'alpha-hydroxy-4'alpha-methoxy-6a,12a-dehydro-alpha-toxicarol (1), as well as 12 known compounds, (+)-clovan-2beta,9alpha-diol, ferulic acid, 3,7,3',4'-tetramethylquercetin, 3,7,3'-trimethylquercetin, 3,7-dimethylquercetin, abscisic acid, 1beta,6alpha-dihydroxy-4(15)-eudesmene, 3beta-hydroxy-24-ethylcholest-5-en-7-one, loliolide, scopoletin, taraxerol, and 3-epi-taraxerol. The structure of compound 1 was determined using spectroscopic methods. All isolates were evaluated for their potential to inhibit cyclooxygenases-1 and -2 by measuring PGE(2) production, and to induce quinone reductase in cultured Hepa 1c1c7 mouse hepatoma cells.     

Studies of the oxysterol inhibition of tumor cell growth

The oxysterols 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-cholest-8-en-11-one, 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-cholest-8-en-7-one, 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-7-one, 3 beta-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethylcholest-5-ene-7 one, 4,4'-dimethylcholest-5-ene-3 beta, 7 alpha-diol, 4,4'-dimethylcholest-5-ene-3 beta, 7 beta-diol, lanost-8-ene-3 beta, 25-diol, 25-hydroxylanost-8-en-3-one, 9 alpha, 11 alpha-epoxy-5 alpha-cholest-7-en-3 beta-ol, 3 beta-hydroxycholest-5 alpha-en-22-one, and 3 beta-hydroxycholest-5-en-22-one oxime were evaluated with respect to their ability to inhibit cell growth. All of the sterols were found to possess cytotoxicity when incubated with hepatoma (HTC) and lymphoma (RDM-4) cells in culture at 10-30 microM concentrations.     

南海疏枝刺柳珊瑚中甾醇类化合物的研究

本文对采自海南三亚海域的疏枝刺柳珊瑚(Echinogorgia pseudossapo)化学成分进行研究,分离到11个甾醇类化合物。经波谱数据分析,分别鉴定为cholest-5-en-3β-ol(1),24-methylene-cholest-4-ene-3β,6β-diol(2),24-norcholesta-22-en-3β-ol(3),acanthovagasteroid A(4),calicoferol E(5),calicoferol F(6),6-hydroxy-cholest-4-ene-3-one(7),echinoflorasterol(8),echissaposterol(9),24-methylcholest-5-en-3β,7α-diol(10)和24-methylcholest-5,22(E)-dien-3β,7α-diol(11)。除化合物8外,其余化合物均首次从该种海洋动物中分离得到。     

6-hydroximino-4-aza-A-homo-cholest-3-one and related analogue as a potent inducer of apoptosis in cancer cells

Here we report that 6-hydroximino-4-aza-A-homo-cholest-3-one and 6-hydroxyl-4-aza-A-homo-cholest-3-one, new steroidal lactams were synthesized recently, displayed antiproliferative activity against some cancer cells through inducing cancer cell apoptosis by activation of the intrinsic pathway. The apoptotic function of the compounds was demonstrated by release of cytochrome C, activation of caspase 3 and annexin V labeling. Furthermore, the compound was able to inhibit tumor growth in an athymic mouse model.     

Synthesis of 6-oxy functionalized campest-4-en-3-ones: efficient hydroperoxidation at C-6 of campest-5-en-3-one with molecular oxygen and silica gel

As a reference compound library for the investigation of biosynthesis of brassinosteroids, focused on a pathway from campesterol (1) to campestanol (2), 6-oxy functionalized campest-4-en-3-ones as well as campest-5-en-3-one (7) and campestane-3,6-dione were prepared from 1. Oxidation of 1 with pyridinium chlorochromate buffered by calcium carbonate gave 5-en-3-one (7) in 76% yield. Treatment of 7 with silica gel under an oxygen atmosphere in ethyl ether at room temperature produced efficient hydroperoxidation at the C-6 position to give 6alpha-hydroperoxycampest-4-en-3-one and 6beta-hydroperoxycampest-4-en-3-one in 34% and 49% yields, respectively. These compounds were converted to 6alpha-hydroxycampest-4-en-3-one and 6beta-hydroxycampest-4-en-3-one by reduction with triethyl phosphite. This provided the first example of the practical use of hydroperoxidation at C-6 of a Delta(5(6))-unsaturated 3-oxo-steroid with molecular oxygen and silica gel. On the other hand, oxidation of 1 with pyridinium chlorochromate in the absence of calcium carbonate gave campest-4-ene-3,6-dione in 64% yield. This compound was then converted in a highly stereoselective manner to campestane-3,6-dione with A/B trans ring junction by reduction with titanium (III) chloride in 85% yield.     

Syntheses of 19-[O-(carboxymethyl)oxime] haptens of epipregnanolone and pregnanolone

O-(Carboxymethyl)oximes 1 and 2 derived from two epimeric 5beta-pregnanolones (3beta-hydroxy-5beta-pregnan-20-one and 3alpha-hydroxy-5beta-pregnan-20-one) in position 19 were prepared. Two synthetic routes were employed, both using protection of the 20-keto group after reduction into the (20R)-alcohol in the form of acetate. In the first route, (20R)-19-hydroxy-5beta-pregnan-3beta,20-diyl diacetate (3) was transformed into the corresponding 19-[O-(carboxymethyl)oxime] methyl ester 6, then deacetylated by acid and partially silylated with tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride. The desired 3-O-silylated derivative 8 was separated, oxidized to the 20-ketone and protecting groups were sequentially removed to give the first title hapten 1. The second route started from (20R)-19-hydroxy-3-oxopregn-4-en-20-yl acetate (11), which was hydrogenated in the presence of base to the 5beta-pregnan-3-one derivative 12, protected in position 19 with tert-butyldimethylsilyl group and reduced with borohydride. The prevailing 3alpha-alcohol 15 was separated, protected in position 3 with a methoxymethyl group, deprotected in position 19 and transformed into the 19-[O-(carboxymethyl)oxime] 19. After deacetylation, esterification with diazomethane and oxidation in position 20, the pregnanolone skeleton was regenerated. Final deprotection steps gave the second title hapten 2. Both haptens, i.e., (19E)-3beta- and -3alpha-hydroxy-20-oxo-5beta-pregnan-19-al 19-[O-(carboxymethyl)oxime], were designed for the development of immunoassays of the corresponding parent neuroactive steroids.     

Cytotoxic derivatives of (22R,23R)-dihydroxystigmastane

(22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmast-4-en-3-one, (22R,23R)-22,23-dihydroxystigmast-4-en-3,6-dione, (22R,23R)-3β,5α,6β,22,23-pentahydroxystigmastane, (22R,23R)-5α,6α-oxido-3β,22,23-trihydroxystigmastane, (22R,23R)-5β,6β-oxido-3β,22,23-trihydroxystigmastane, and (22R,23R)-3β,6β,22,23-tetrahydroxystigmast-4-ene were synthesized. Their cytotoxicities were comparatively studied using the MCF-7 line of carcinoma cells of human mammary gland and cells of human hepatoma of the Hep G2 line.     

Synthesis of polyhydroxysterols (I): synthesis of 24-methylenecholest-4-en-3beta,6beta-diol, a cytotoxic natural hydroxylated sterol

Starting from stigmasterol (2), 24-methylenecholest-4-en-3beta, 6beta-diol (1), a cytotoxic natural dihydroxylated sterol, was synthesized via 10 steps in 20% overall yield. The introduction of a side-chain of sterol was achieved by solid-liquid phase-transfer Wittig reaction using (3-methyl-2-oxo)butyltriphenylarsonium bromide (12) and K(2)CO(3). Construction of the steroidal nucleus was finished by the addition of 3beta-acetoxycholest-5,6-en-24-one (7) with NBA in dioxane under ambient temperature and by the elimination of 3beta, 6beta-diacetoxy-5a-bromocholestane-24-one (9). The spectral data of the synthetic product (1) are completely consistent with those of the natural compound (1).     

Synthesis and cell growth inhibitory properties of substituted (E)-1-phenylbut-1-en-3-ones

A series of (E)-1-phenylbut-1-en-3-ones, based on the naturally occurring (E)-1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)but-1-en-3-one [IC₅₀ (K562) 60 μM], was synthesised and screened for cytotoxic activity against the K562 human leukaemia cell line. (E)-1-(Pentafluorophenyl)but-1-en-3-one [IC₅₀ (K562) 1.8 μM] was found to be over 30-fold more active than 1.