Synthesis, antiproliferative activity and genotoxicity of novel anthracene-containing aminophosphonates and a new anthracene-derived Schiff base

A new Schiff base, 9-anthrylidene-furfurylamine and three novel anthracene-containing α-aminophosphonates, [N-methyl(dimethoxyphosphonyl)-1-(9-anthryl)]-p-toluidine, [N-methyl(diethoxyphosphonyl)-1-(9-anthryl)]-p-toluidine and [N-methyl(diethoxyphosphonyl)-1-(9-anthryl)]furfurylamine were synthesized. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, TLC, IR, NMR and fluorescent spectra. The aminophosphonates and their synthetic precursors were tested for in vitro antitumor activity on a panel of seven human epithelial cancer cell lines. Safety testing was performed both in vitro (3T3 NRU test) and in vivo on ICR mice for genotoxicity and antiproliferative activity. 9-Anthrylidene-furfurylamine and [N-methyl(diethoxyphosphonyl)-1-(9-anthryl)]furfurylamine were most potent cytotoxic agents towards colon carcinoma cell line HT-29. The latter compound exhibited also antiproliferative activity to HBL-100, MDA-MB-231 and 647-V cells. The aminophosphonate [N-methyl(dimethoxyphosphonyl)-1-(9-anthryl)]-p-toluidine and its synthetic precursor 9-anthrylidene-p-toluidine were found to be cytotoxic to HBL-100 and HT-29 tumor cell lines, respectively. Moderate genotoxic and antiproliferative activity in vivo and low toxicity to Balb/c 3T3 (clone 31) mouse embryo cells were observed for all tested compounds. The subcellular distribution of two tested compounds in a tumor cell culture system was also studied.     

Synthesis,structure elucidation and in vitro anticancer activities of novel derivatives of diethyl (2E)-2-[(2E)-(1-arylimidazolidin-2-ylidene)hydrazono]succinate and ethyl (4-oxo-8-aryl-4,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)acetate

The worked out and optimized synthesis routes and remarkable antitumour activities in vitro of novel polynitrogenated derivatives of diethyl (2E)-2-[(2E)-(1-arylimidazolidin-2-ylidene)hydrazono]succinate (7–10) and ethyl (4-oxo-8-aryl-4,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-3-yl)acetate (11–16) are presented. Small molecules based on the privileged 7,8-dihydroimidazo[2,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-4(6H)-one scaffold (11–16) were obtained with fairly modest to good overall yields by very facile addition reactions of the nucleophilic centred 1-aryl-2-hydrazonoimidazolidine hydroiodides to diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DEAD) in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) and a subsequent cyclocondensation of the putative intermediate chain hydrazones. Heterobicyclic products 12 and 14–16 could also be prepared in high overall yields by an effective intramolecular cyclocondensation of the isolated stable and antiproliferative active heterocyclic hydrazones, namely, diethyl (2E)-2-[(2E)-(1-arylimidazolidin-2-ylidene)hydrazono]succinates (7–10), performed in refluxing DMF. These intermediates are the first products to be formed in the result of an addition of the nucleophilic reactants, namely, 1-aryl-2-hydrazonoimidazolidines of the 1–6 type, bearing the basic nitrogen atom of the hydrazono moiety (N–NH₂), to the carbon–carbon triple bond of the highly electrophilic alkyne, that is, DEAD. Molecular structures of the synthesized compounds (7–16) in the DMSO-d₆ solutions were verified by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectral data. These were finally confirmed based on the advanced 2D HMBC and HMQC NMR experiments, which were performed for the two representatives (8 and 11) of the two synthesized sets of the bioactive substances. Among the majority of antiproliferative active molecules, the disclosed herein ethyl [4-oxo-8-(3-chlorophenyl)-4,6,7,8-tetrahydroimidazo[2,1-c][1,2,4]triazin-3-yl]acetate (14) is proposed as a promising lead structure for the design of novel highly selective antitumour agents because of the distinctly marked lower cytotoxicity towards the primary cell line of normal HSF cells and several-fold higher against cancer cells used. A double fluorochrome mix-staining was performed in order to find out about the possible mode of action by which this novel small heterobicycle reveals remarkable antiproliferative effects in vitro. Taking into account the obtained double staining results, this small molecule was identified as capable of inducing significantly higher levels of necrotic cells in human cancer cell lines (T47D and HeLa) than in normal HSF cells. Furthermore, its cytotoxicity against cells was found to be connected to the predominant induction of necrosis over apoptosis.     

Fluorescent 2-aza-epsilon-adenosine derivatives of polyadenylic acid, polyuridylic acid, and polyinosinic acid.

A new fluorescent analog of adenosine, 1,N⁶-etheno-2-aza-adenosine, has been incorporated into polynucleotides by polynucleotide phosphorylase polymerization of 1,N⁶-etheno-2-aza-adenosine-5′-diphosphate and adenosine-5′-diphosphate, uridine-5′-diphosphate, or inosine-5′-diphosphate. These new oligonucletides possess high fluorescence when excited at 358 nm and emit at 495 nm. The ratio of the fluorescent and nonfluorescent portions of the copolymer can be controlled by the initial composition of the 2-aza-ε-adenosine-diphosphate and the corresponding nucleoside diphosphate. Fluorescent copolymers with a ratio varying from 1.6 to 35 have thus been synthesized. The physicochemical study of copolymers containing less than 10% of the 1,N⁶-etheno-2-aza-adenosine moiety showed that they are similar to poly(A), poly(U), or poly(I). Therefore, fluorescence and polarization study of the 1,N⁶-etheno-2-aza-adenosine residues that have been incorporated into the copolymer provides a sensitive indicator for the structure of the copolymer. Potentially these new copolymers may provide unique roles in probing the structure of poly(C) and poly(A) in cellular mRNA.     

Design,synthesis and biological activities of sorafenib derivatives as antitumor agents

A series of novel sorafenib derivatives, 9a–w, was designed and synthesized in high yields using various substituted anilines, and their antiproliferative activities against HCT116, PC-3 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines were also evaluated and described. All compounds exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against HCT116 and PC-3 cells with IC₅₀ = 2.8–52.0 and 2.2–45.6 μM; compounds 9p and 9q demonstrated competitive antiproliferative activities to sorafenib against all three cancer cell lines, the cytotoxicity of compound 9r is more potent than that of sorafenib. Compounds (9g, 9p, 9q and 9r) were chosen for further evaluation of the anti-angiogenesis activity, and showed the inhibition of sprout formation from aortic ring ex vivo. The structures of all the newly synthesized compounds were determined by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and HRMS.     

The unsaturated acyclic nucleoside analogues bearing a sterically constrained (Z)-4′-benzamido-2′-butenyl moiety: Synthesis,X-ray crystal structure study,cytostatic and antiviral activity evaluations

A series of the novel acyclic unsaturated pyrimidine (1–12) and adenine (13) nucleoside analogues bearing conformationally restricted (Z)-2′-butenyl moiety were synthesized and evaluated for their antiviral and cytostatic activity potency against malignant tumor cell lines and normal human fibroblast (WI38). The N-1 and/or N-3 acyclic side chain substitution in pyrimidine ring in N-3 substituted 5-trifluoromethyluracil derivative (11), N-1, N-3 disubstituted 5-fluorouracil derivative (12) and adenine derivative (13) was deduced from their ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra and confirmed by single crystal X-ray structure analysis. The X-ray crystal structure analysis 11–13 revealed also supramolecular self-assemblies, in which infinite chains or dimers built two- and three-dimensional networks. The results of the in vitro cytostatic activity evaluations of 1–13 indicate that the majority of the compounds tested exhibited a non-specific and moderate antiproliferative effect at the highest concentration (100 μM). Of all evaluated compounds on the cell lines tested only the N-1 4″-fluoro-substituted-benzamide uracil derivative (7) showed rather marked and selective inhibitory activity against the growth of MCF-7 cells at a concentration of 2.7 μM and no cytotoxic effect on normal fibroblasts WI38. This compound can be therefore considered as a potential antitumor lead compound for further synthetic structure modification.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of tetracyclic fluoroquinolones as antibacterial and anticancer agents

A simple and efficient synthesis of 6-fluoro-4-oxopyrido[2,3-a]carbazole-3-carboxylic acids (13a–e) and a structurally related 6-fluoro-4-oxothieno[2′,3′:4,5]pyrrolo[3,2-h]quinoline (13f) was achieved via Stille arylation of 7-chloro-6-fluoro-8-nitro-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylate and a subsequent microwave-assisted phosphite-mediated Cadogan reaction. The new compounds were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial and antiproliferative activity. The ability of 13a–f to inhibit the activity of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV was also investigated. The thieno isostere (13f) emerged as the most active antibacterial, while the 9-fluoro derivative (13e) was the most potent against multidrug-resistant staphylococci. Compounds 13a, 13c–f displayed growth inhibition against MCF-7 breast tumor and A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells coupled with an absence of cytotoxicity toward normal human-derm fibroblasts (HuDe). Compound 13e was the most active anticancer against MCF-7 cells, with greater potency than ellipticine (IC₅₀ 0.8 and 1.6 μM, respectively). The most active compounds in this series show promise as dual acting anticancer and antibacterial chemotherapeutics.     

A prenylated xanthone and antiproliferative compounds from leaves of Pentadesma butyracea

A new prenylated xanthone, butyraxanthone F (1) together with 20 known compounds were isolated from the leaves of Pentadesma butyracea. Their identification was achieved by spectroscopic means and comparison of the data with literature or by direct comparison on TLC with authentic samples. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of 2-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrosqualene (17) from a natural source. Compounds 2–6 and 11–16 were found for the first time in this genus. The antiproliferative activity of the crude extract, fractions and some isolated compounds was evaluated against three human cancer cell lines, BGC-823, Hela and A549. The crude extract, fractions B and C showed weak activities. Globuxanthone (2) and 30-epi-cambogin (7) were found to be the most active compounds on the three cancer cells. The effect of 2 on Hela cells and that of 7 on BGC-823 cells were noteworthy. The antiproliferative potential of allanxanthone A (3), ergosta-4,6,8(14),22-tetraen-3-one (14) and 2-hydroxy-2,3-dihydrosqualene (17) against BGC-823 and Hela cells could be classified as moderate-to-weak.     

Synthesis, spectroscopical characterization and the biological activity in vitro of new platinum(II) complexes with imidazo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazine derivatives and dimethylsulfoxide

A series of platinum(II) complexes with 6,8-dimethylimidazo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(3H)-one (6,8-DiMe-4-O-IMT) (I) and 6,8-dimethyl-2-thioxo-2,3-dihydroimidazo[1,5-a]-1,3,5-triazin-4(1H)-one (6,8-DiMe-4-O-2-S-IMT) (II) of formula trans-[PtCl₂(dmso)(6,8-DiMe-4-O-IMT)] (1a) and trans-[PtCl₂(dmso)(6,8-DiMe-4-O-2-S-IMT)] (2a) have been prepared and characterized with ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR and IR. Significant ¹⁵N NMR upfield coordination shifts (81-96 ppm) of N(7) atom indicate this nitrogen atom as a coordination site. The multinuclear NMR and IR spectra indicate the square planar geometry with N(7) bonded heterocycles, S-bonded dimethylsulfoxide and two trans chloride anions. The platinum(II) complexes were tested for their antiproliferative activity in vitro against the cells of four human cell lines: SW707 rectal adenocarcinoma, A549 non-small cell lung carcinoma, T47D breast cancer and HCV29T bladder cancer. The activity of (1a, 2a) was lower than that of cisplatin.     

In vitro cytotoxicity of novel 2,5,7-tricarbo-substituted indoles derived from 2-amino-5-bromo-3-iodoacetophenone

A series of novel 2,5,7-tricarbo-substituted indoles were prepared via sequential Sonogashira and Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling of 2-amino-5-bromo-3-iodoacetophenone with terminal acetylenes and aryl/styrylboronic acids followed by palladium chloride-mediated heteroannulation of the incipient 5-aryl/styryl-substituted 2-amino-3-(arylalkynyl)acetophenones. These polycarbo-substituted indole derivatives were evaluated for potential in vitro antiproliferative activity against the human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) and human cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines. Compounds 6f, 6i, 6k, 6m and 6n were found to exhibit significant cytotoxicity and selectivity against the HeLa cells. Compounds 6i and 6m were chosen as representative examples to evaluate their pro-apoptotic efficacy against the HeLa cell line. The compounds induced apoptosis through cell membrane alteration and DNA fragmentation caspase-dependent pathways.     

New amide linked dimeric 1,2,3-triazoles bearing aryloxy scaffolds as a potent antiproliferative agents and EGFR tyrosine kinase phosphorylation inhibitors

A search for potent antiproliferative agents has prompted to design and synthesize aryloxy bridged and amide linked dimeric 1,2,3-triazoles (7a–j) by using 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between 2-azido-N-phenylacetamides (4a–e) and bis(prop-2-yn-1-yloxy)benzenes (6a–b) via copper (I)-catalyzed click chemistry approach with good to excellent yields. All the newly synthesized compounds have been screened for their in vitro antiproliferative activities against two human cancer cell lines. The compounds 7d, 7e, 7h, 7i and 7j have revealed promising antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), whereas, the compounds 7a, 7b, 7c, 7i and 7j were observed as potent antiproliferative agents against human lung cancer cell line (A-549). The active compounds against MCF-7 have been also analysed for their mechanism of action by the enzymatic study, which shows that the compounds 7d, 7h and 7j were acts as active EGFR tyrosine kinase phosphorylation inhibitors. In support to this biological study, the molecular docking as well as in silico ADME properties of all the newly synthesized hybrids were predicted.     

7,7′-Diazaindirubin—A small molecule inhibitor of casein kinase 2 in vitro and in cells

Aza- and diaza-bisindoles were synthesized by coupling of 7-azaisatin, 7-azaoxindol, 7-azaindoxyl acetate, and their non-aza counterparts, respectively. Whereas 7,7′-diazaindigo (10) and 7,7′-diazaisoindigo (11) did not show antiproliferative activity in several human tumor cell lines up to 100 μM, 7-azaindirubin (12) and 7′-azaindirubin (13) were more active than the parent molecule, indirubin, in LXFL529L cells (human large cell lung tumor xenograft), and 7,7′-diazaindirubin (14) was exhibiting substantially enhanced growth inhibitory activity in these cells. In the NCI 60 cell line panel, 14 displayed antiproliferative activity preferentially in certain melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer cells. In contrast to the potent serine/threonine/tyrosine kinase inhibition observed for indirubins, kinase inhibition profiling of 14 in 220 kinases revealed largely a loss of kinase inhibitory activity towards most kinases, with retained inhibitory activity for just a few kinases. At 1 μM concentration, especially casein kinases CK1γ3, CK2α, CK2α2, and SIK were inhibited by more than 50%. In cell-based assays, 14 markedly affected CK2-mediated signaling in various human tumor cells. In MCF7 cells, 14 induced cell cycle arrest at G1 and G2/M and apoptosis, whereas CK2-deficient MCF7 cells were resistant. These findings reveal a novel key mechanism of action for 14, suggesting primarily CK2 inhibition to be causally related to growth inhibition of human tumor cells.     

Combination of 4-anilinoquinazoline,arylurea and tertiary amine moiety to discover novel anticancer agents

In present study, 4-anilinoquinazolines scaffold, arylurea and tertiary amine moiety were combined to design, synthesize gefitinib analogs and discover novel anticancer agents. A series of 4-anilinoquinazoline derivatives (1, 2, 3 and 4) bearing arylurea and tertiary amine moiety at its 6-position were synthesized. Their antiproliferative activities in vitro were evaluated via MTT assay against A431 cell and A549 cell. The SAR of the title compounds was discussed. The compounds 2d, 2i and 2j with potent antiproliferative activities were evaluated their inhibitory activity against EGFR-TK. Compound 2j displayed potent inhibitory activity against EGFR-TK. In addition, compound 2j, at 50 mg/kg, can completely inhibit cancer growth in established nude mouse A549 xenograft model in vivo. These results suggest that the 4-anilinoquinazoline derivatives bearing diarylurea and tertiary amino moiety at its 6-position can serve as anticancer agents and EGFR inhibitors.     

3, 9-di-O-substituted coumestrols incorporating basic amine side chains act as novel apoptosis inducers with improved pharmacological selectivity

There is much interest in the use of phytoestrogens such as coumestrol in breast cancer intervention due to their antiestrogenic activity and multiple modes of tumor cell death. However, the clear beneficial effects of naturally occurring estrogen mimetic coumestrol remain controversial due to experimental evidence that it has been shown to stimulate MCF-7 cell proliferation via agonist effect on estrogen receptor at low concentration. Herein, to disconnect the ER interaction and apoptosis-specific mechanism of coumestrol, various 3, 9-di-O-substituted coumestrols (7a-7e) and their furan ring-opened analogs (5a-5e) were synthesized and assessed for antiproliferative properties. Attachment of a dimethylamine-containing side chain to 3-O of coumestrol led to the most promising compound 7e with improved antiproliferative activity (1.7-fold increase) against MCF-7 cells, decreased estrogen activity (>20 times weaker ERα binder) and a novel action to induce apoptosis. Mechanistic studies revealed that 7e is a tubulin polymerization inhibitor, which could arrest cell cycle at G2/M phase and induce apoptosis along with the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential. In summary, such subtle modifications to the 3, 9-di-hydroxyl groups of coumestrol allow the generation of a novel apoptosis inducer with distinct pharmacological properties, providing an excellent starting point to future development of novel tumor-vascular disrupting agents targeting tubulin.     

Design,synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation of novel pyrazole integrated benzophenones

A series of novel pyrazole integrated benzophenones (9a–j) have been designed, synthesized from 1-methyl-5-(2,4,6-trimethoxy-phenyl)-1H-pyrazole 6. The structures of the regioisomers 6 and 7 were determined by 2D ¹H–¹H COSY, ¹H–¹³C HSQC and ¹H–¹³C HMBC experiments. The newly synthesized compounds (9a–j) were evaluated for in vivo anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan paw edema in rats and in vitro COX-1/COX-2 inhibition and antioxidant potential. Among the synthesized compounds, compounds 9b, 9d and 9f, were found to be active anti-inflammatory agents in addition to having potent antioxidant activity.     

Fungal metabolites of xanthohumol with potent antiproliferative activity on human cancer cell lines in vitro

Xanthohumol (1) and xanthohumol D (2) were isolated from spent hops. Isoxanthohumol (3) was obtained from xanthohumol by isomerisation in alkaline solution. Six metabolites were obtained as a result of transformation of xanthohumol (1) by selected fungal cultures. Their structures were established on the basis of their spectral data. One of them: 2″-(2′′′-hydroxyisopropyl)-dihydrofurano-[4″,5″:3′,4′]-4′,2-dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-α,β-dihydrochalcone (6) has not been previously reported in the literature. The antioxidant properties of hops flavonoids and xanthohumol derivatives were investigated using the 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method. The effects of these compounds on proliferation of MCF-7, PC-3 and HT-29 human cancer cell lines were determined by the SRB assay. With the exception of one metabolite, all tested compounds showed antiproliferative activity against the tested human cancer lines. α,β-Dihydroxanthohumol (4), obtained through the biotransformation of xanthohumol, showed higher antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell line than cisplatin, a widely used anticancer therapeutic agent, and a comparably high activity against PC-3 human prostate cancer cell line.     

Synthesis of new fluorinated, 2-substituted 5-pyrrolidinylsulfonyl isatin derivatives as caspase-3 and caspase-7 inhibitors: Nonradioactive counterparts of putative PET-compatible apoptosis imaging agents

Downstream caspases-3 and -7 are essential to execute the programmed type I cell death (apoptosis). In order to better understand their role, specific inhibitors of these enzymes are required, which after radiolabeling can be applied to non-invasively visualize and monitor apoptotic pathways in vivo using Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Therefore, 2-methoxyethyl-, 2-methoxypropyl-, 2-ethoxymethyl-, 2-(2-fluoroethoxymethyl)-, and 2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxymethyl)pyrrolidinyl analogues of (S)-5-[1-(2-methoxymethylpyrrolidinyl)sulfonyl]isatin (2) were prepared and their in vitro binding affinities towards caspases-1, -3, -6 and -7 were evaluated and compared to that of the lead structure 2. While the inhibition potencies against caspases-1 and -6 were in the micromolar range, all synthesized compounds exhibited excellent and selective inhibition of caspases-3 and -7 in the nanomolar range up to IC₅₀ = 4.79 nM and 7.47 nM, respectively. These highly potent 2-substituted analogues of 2 might be developed as anti-apoptosis agents and some selected fluorinated inhibitors might be useful as potential PET radiotracers for apoptosis imaging after ¹⁸F-labeling.     

Alkene lactones from Persea fulva (Lauraceae): Evaluation of their effects on tumor cell growth in vitro and molecular docking studies

The new alkene lactone, (3E)-5,6-dihydro-5-(hydroxymethyl)-3-docdecylidenefuran-3(4H)-one (1), named majoranolide B, and three alkene lactones known as majorenolide (2), majoranolide (3) and majorynolide (4) were obtained from the aerial parts of Persea fulva (Lauraceae). The structures were elucidated in light of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D, 2D NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹H-¹H-COSY, HMBC and HSQC) and HR-ESI-MS. These compounds were screened for their in vitro antiproliferative activity in rat C6 glioma and astrocyte cells using MTT assay and in silico by molecular docking against targets that play a central role in controlling glioma cell cycle progression. Majoranolide (3) is the most active compound with IC₅₀ 6.69 µM against C6 glioma cells, followed by the compounds 1 (IC₅₀ 9.06 µM), 2 (IC₅₀ 12.04 µM) and 4 (IC₅₀ 41.90 µM). The alkene lactones 1–3 exhibited lower toxicity in non-tumor cells when compared to glioma cells. Molecular docking results showed that majoranolide establishes hydrogen bonds with all targets through its α,β-unsaturated-γ-lactone moiety, whereas the long-chain alkyl group binds by means of several hydrophobic bonds. In the present study, it can be concluded from the anti-proliferative activity of isolates against C6 glioma cells that lactone constituents from P. fulva could have a great potential for the control of C6 glioma cells.     

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.     

Microbiological transformation of diosgenin by resting cells of filamentous fungus,Cunninghamella echinulata CGMCC 3.2716

Microbial transformation of the steroidal sapogenin diosgenin (1) by resting cells of the filamentous fungus, Cunninghamella echinulata CGMCC 3.2716 was studied. Four metabolites were isolated and unambiguously characterized as (25R)-spirost-5-ene-3β,7β-diol-11-one (2), (25R)-spirost-5-ene-3β,7β-diol (3), (25R)-spirost-5-ene-3β,7β,11α-triol (4), and (25R)-spirost-5-ene-3β,7β,12β-triol (5), by various spectroscopic methods (¹H, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, ¹H–¹H COSY, HMBC, HSQC and NOESY). Compound 2 is a new metabolite. The NMR data and full assignment for the known metabolites (25R)-spirost-5-ene-3β,7β-diol (3) and (25R)-spirost-5-ene-3β,7β,11α-triol (4) are described here for the first time. The biotransformation characteristics observed included were C-7β, C-11α and C-12β hydroxylations. Compounds 1–5 exhibited no significant cytotoxic activity to human glioma cell line U87.