Gel chromatography of steroid oestrogens on sephadex LH-20.

The behavior of 23 steroid oestrogens Sephadex LH-20 using six solvent systems was investigated. The fractions eluted by gel column chromatography were analysed by thin-layer chromatography and spectrometry. The method was used for the radiochemical purity of labelled compounds by isotopic dilution.     

Total steroid profiling with capillary GC. Details on sample preparation

The accuracy and reproducibility of steroid and steroid conjugate determinations using capillary GC are evaluated. It is possible to analyze many unconjugated steroids, steroid sulfates, and some steroid glucuronides simultaneously, simply by using group fractionation based on successive hydrolysis and solvent extraction steps. However, a reliable determination of corticosteroid glucuronides can only be obtained after previous isolation of the glucuronides as a group, with ion exchange chromatography. In complex chromatograms, the combined use of nitrogen specific detection and flame ionization detection facilitates peak identification.     

Interaction of some steroid drugs with beta-cyclodextrin polymer.

The interaction of 15 steroidal drugs with a water-soluble beta-cyclodextrin polymer was studied by reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography in the absence and in the presence of 0.1 M sodium chloride. The relative strength of interaction was calculated and the relationship between the hydrophobicity parameters of the drugs and the strength of the drug-beta-cyclodextrin polymer was elucidated by principal component analysis. Drugs readily formed inclusion complexes with the cyclodextrin derivatives; the strength of the interaction was higher in the presence of sodium chloride. It was assumed that the formation of inclusion complexes may influence the behaviour of the drugs resulting in modified biological efficacy.     

New cytotoxic steroid from Stachyurus imalaicus var. himalaicus

A phytochemical study of the ethanolic extract of Stachyurus imalaicus var. himalaicus was undertaken and as a result a new polyoxygenated steroid, named stachsterol ((20S)-20, 25-dihydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one, 1) and three known ecdysteroids, 20-hydroxyecdysone (2), 20-hydroxyecdysone-20, 22-monoacetonide (3) and polypodine B-20,22-monoacetonide (4), were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including UV, NMR, MS and HR-MS. The purified product 1 was found to have in vitro cytotoxic activity against human Hela cell lines with an IC50 value of 2.5 microg/mL. This is the first time that phytoecdysteroids have been found in the genus Stachyurus.     

13C NMR spectra of steroid clycosides. I. Pennogenin glycosides

The¹³C NMR spectra of five pennogenin glycosides have been measured. The signals have been assigned to individual atoms of the carbon skeleton on the basis of the glycosidation shifts. A mutual influence of the aglycone and of the carbohydrate chain on the chemical shifts of the corresponding carbon atoms has been established.     

Synthesis of 6,19-cyclopregnanes. Constrained analogues of steroid hormones

A procedure for the synthesis of 6,19-cyclopregnanes is described involving an intramolecular alkylation reaction of Delta(4)-3-keto steroids with a 19-mesylate in the presence of KOH in isopropanol. Three 6,19-cyclopregnanes were prepared (4, 5 ,9); in the rat, 6,19-cycloprogesterone (4) and its 21-hydroxy derivative 5 displaced [3H]-dexamethasone from glucocorticoid receptors, the former compound being more active. Both compounds did not compete with [3H]-aldosterone for kidney mineralocorticoid receptors nor with [3H]-R5020 for uterus progesterone receptors.     

Synthesis of steroid precursors. Intramolecular Diels-Alder approach to the trans-hydrindenone system.

The intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of the 1,3-propanediol-derived ketal of (6E)-2-methyl-1,6,8-nonatrien-3-one produces an approximately 3:1 ratio of trans- and cis-hydrindenones.