Microbial hydroxylation of pregnenolone derivatives

Pregnenolone and pregnenolone acetate were incubated with the fungi Cunninghamella elegans, Rhizopus stolonifer and Gibberella fujikuroi. Incubation of with C. elegans yielded metabolites, 3beta,7beta,11alpha-trihydroxypreg-5-en-20-one, 3beta,6alpha,11alpha,12beta,15beta-pentahydroxypreg-4-en-20-one and 3beta,6beta,11alpha-trihydroxypreg-4-en-20-one, while incubation with G. fujikuroi yielded two known metabolites, 3beta,7beta-dihydroxypregn-5-en-20-one and 6beta,15beta-dihydroxypreg-4-ene-3,20-dione. Metabolites and were found to be new. Fermentation of by C. elegans yielded four known oxidative metabolites, androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione, 6beta,15beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione and 11alpha,15beta-dihydroxypreg-4-ene-3,20-dione. Fermentation of with R. stolonifer yielded two known metabolites, 11alpha-hydroxypreg-4-ene-3,20-dione and. Compounds were screened for their cholinesterase inhibitory activity in a mechanism-based assay.     

Three new pentacyclic triterpenes and some flavonoids from the fruits of an Indian Ayurvedic plant Dendrophthoe falcata and their estrogen receptor binding activity

Extensive chromatographic screening of extracts of the fruits of the Indian Ayurvedic plant, Dendrophthoe falcata, resulted in the isolation of three new triterpenes, 3beta-acetoxy-1beta-(2-hydroxy-2-propoxy)-11alpha-hydroxy-olean-12-ene (1), 3beta-acetoxy-11alpha-ethoxy-1beta-hydroxy-olean-12-ene (2) and 3beta-acetoxy-1beta-hydroxy-11alpha-methoxy-olean-12-ene (3) along with nine known compounds, 3beta-acetoxy-1beta,11alpha-dihydroxy-olean-12-ene (4), 3beta-acetoxy-1beta,11alpha-dihydroxy-urs-12-ene (5), 3beta-acetoxy-urs-12-ene-11-one (6), 3beta-acetoxy-lup-20(29)-ene (7), 30-nor-lup-3beta-acetoxy-20-one (8), (20S)-3beta-acetoxy-lupan-29-oic acid (9), kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (10), quercetin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (11), and gallic acid (12). The structures of these compounds were determined using 1D and 2D NMR and high resolution electrospray mass spectrometry. These compounds were assayed for binding to estrogen receptors-alpha and beta and kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (10) was found to be a ligand for both receptors with greater affinity for beta. The triterpenes (1-9) are reported for the first time in the genus Dendrophthoe and assumes taxonomic significance.     

Biotransformation of (+)-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione

Fermentation of (+)-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione (1) with Curvularia lunata for 10 days yielded five oxidative and reductive metabolites, androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (2), 17beta-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3-one (3), 11alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (4), 11alpha,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-en-3-one (5) and 15alpha-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-17-one (6). The structures of these metabolites were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques. These microbially transformed products were assayed against the clinically important enzymes, tyrosinase and prolyl endopeptidase.     

Microbial transformation of cortisol and prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory activity of its transformed products

Incubation of cortisol (1) with Gibberella fujikuruoi for 12 days yielded an oxidatively cleaved product, 11beta-hydroxyandrost-4-en-3,17-dione (2), while incubation with Bacillus subtilis and Rhizopus stolonifer yielded the reduced product, 11beta, 17alpha,20,21-tetrahydroxy-(20S)-pregn-4-en-3-one (3). Other reduced products, 11beta, 17alpha, 21-trihydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-3, 20-dione (4) and 3beta, 11beta, 17alpha, 21-tetrahydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (5) were obtained by incubation of compound 1 with Bacillus cerus. The inhibitory activity of compounds 1-5 against prolyl endopeptidase enzyme (PEP) was also assayed. Compounds 2 (IC50 162.8 microM) and 4 (IC50 157 microM) have shown significant inhibitory activity against PEP.     

Synthesis of deuterium-labeled 16 alpha,19-dihydroxy C19 steroids as internal standards for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

[2 beta,7,7,16 beta-2H4]16 alpha,19-Dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (14) and [7,7,16 beta-2H3]3 beta,16 alpha,19-trihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (16), with high isotopic purity, respectively, were synthesized from unlabeled 3 beta-(tert-butyldimethylsiloxy)-androst-5-ene-17 beta-yl acetate (1). The deuterium introduction at C-7 was carried out by reductive deoxygenation of the 7-keto compound 3 with dichloroaluminum deuteride and that at C-2 beta and/or C-16 beta by controlled alkaline hydrolysis of 16-bromo-17-ketone 11 or 12 with NaOD in D2O and pyridine. [7,7-2H2]3 beta-Hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (6), obtained from compound 1 by a five-step sequence, was converted to compound 14 or 16 by an eight-step or seven-step sequence, respectively. The labeled steroids 14 and 16 are useful as internal standards for gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the endogenous levels.     

Improved synthesis and molecular modeling of 4beta,19-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one,an excellent inhibitor of aromatase

4Beta,19-dihydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one (6) is an excellent competitive inhibitor of estrogen synthetase (aromatase). Alternate, improved synthesis of this inhibitor was established. Treatment of 19-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)androst-4-en-17-one (8) with m-chloroperbenzoic acid gave a 1.4:1 mixture of 4alpha,5alpha-epoxide 9 and its 4beta,5beta-isomer 10. The mixture was reacted with diI. HClO4 in dioxane to produce principally 4beta,5alpha-diol 11 (80%) of which acetylation followed by dehydration with SOCl2 yielded 4beta,19-diacetoxy-5-ene compound 14 in good yield. Alkaline hydrolysis of diacetate 14 gave 4beta,19-diol 6. The minimum energy conformation of the powerfull aromatase inhibitor 6 was obtained with the PM3 method and compared with that of the structurally related diol steroid, 4-ene-5beta,19-diol 3, a weak competitive inhibitor.     

Cytotoxic diterpenoids from Vietnamese medicinal plant Croton tonkinensis GAGNEP

Six new ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids were isolated from the leaves of the endemic Vietnamese medicinal plant Croton tonkinensis GAGNEP. (Euphorbiaceae) together with three known ent-11alpha-acetoxy-7beta,14alpha-dihydroxykaur-16-en-15-one (1), ent-kaur-16-en-15-one 18-oic acid (5) and ent-18-hydroxykaur-16-ene (7). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses to be ent-7beta-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroxykaur-16-en-15-one (2), ent-18-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroxykaur-16-en-15-one (3), ent-11alpha-acetoxykaur-16-en-18-oic acid (4), ent-15alpha,18-dihydroxykaur-16-ene (6), ent-11alpha,18-diacetoxy-7beta-hydroxykaur-16-en-15-one (8), and ent-(16S)-1alpha,14alpha-diacetoxy-7beta-hydroxy-17-methoxykauran-15-one (14). ent-Kaurane-type diterpenoids from Croton tonkinensis 2-4, 6, and 9-13, were tested for toxicity in the brine shrimp lethality assay. Compounds 9, 10, and 12 demonstrated significant activity, compounds 2, 3, 6, and 11 showed weak activity, and compounds 4 and 13 were inactive.     

Six new dammarane-type triterpene saponins from the leaves of Panax ginseng

Six new minor saponins, together with known ginsenosides, were isolated from the leaves of Panax ginseng. The new saponins were named as ginsenoside-Rh5, -Rh6, -Rh7 -Rh8, -Rh9 and -Rg7, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence to be as follows: ginsenoside-Rh5: 3beta,6alpha,12beta,24zeta-tetrahydroxy-dammar-20(22),25-diene 6-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), -Rh6: 3beta,6alpha12beta,20(S)-tetrahydroxy-25-hydroperoxy-dammar-23-ene 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), -Rh7: 3beta,7beta,12beta,20(S)-tetrahydroxy-dammar-5,24-diene 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), -Rh8: 3beta,6alpha,20(S)-trihydroxy-dammar-24-ene-12-one 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), -Rh9: 3beta,6alpha,20(S)-trihydroxy-12beta,23-epoxy-dammar-24-ene 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (5) and -Rg7: 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 3beta,12beta,20(S),24(R)-tetrahydroxy-dammar-25-ene 20-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (6).     

Microbial transformation of (+)-adrenosterone

The microbial transformation of (+)-adrenosterone (1) by Cephalosporium aphidicola afforded three metabolites identified as androsta-1,4-diene-3,11,17-trione (2), 17beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,11-dione (3) and 17beta-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,11-dione (4). The fermentation of 1 with Fusarium lini also produced metabolites 2 and 4, while the fermentation with Trichothecium roseum afforded metabolite 3. The structures of transformed products were determined by spectroscopic methods.     

Synthesis of 16 alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17,19-trione and 3 beta, 16 alpha-dihydroxyandrost-5-ene-17,19-dione; potential intermediates of estriol biosynthesis

16 alpha-Hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17,19-trione (10) was synthesized from the 16 alpha-hydroxy-6 beta,19-epoxy-17-one 3 via protection of the 16 alpha-hydroxy function as its tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether or acetate. Reductive cleavage of the epoxy ring of the silyl ether 4 or the acetate 5 with zinc dust gave the 19-alcohol 6 or 7, which was treated with pyridinium dichromate or Jones reagent, respectively, and then hydrolyzed with diluted sulfuric acid, yielding the desired steroid 10. 3 beta,16 alpha-Dihydroxyandrost-5-ene-17,19-dione (14) was also synthesized from 5 alpha-bromo-3 beta,16 alpha-diacetoxy-6 beta, 19-epoxyandrostan-17-one (11) through the intermediates 12 and 13 with the 3 beta- and 16 alpha-hydroxy functions protected as their acetates in a reaction sequence similar to that above.     

Evaluation of the antiviral and antimicrobial activities of triterpenes isolated from Euphorbia segetalis

A phytochemical reinvestigation of the whole plant of Euphorbia segetalis yielded five tetracyclic triterpenes: 3beta-hydroxy-cycloart-25-en-24-one (1), cycloart-25-ene-3beta,24-diol (2), cycloart-23-ene-3beta,25-diol (3), lanosta-7,9(11),24-trien-3beta-ol (4) and lanosta-7,9(11),24(31)-trien-3beta-ol (5). beta-acetoxy-cycloart-25-en-24-one (1a) and glutinol (6), lupenone (7), dammaranodienol (9), cycloartenol acetate (10), 24-methylenecycloartanol acetate (11) and beta-sitosterol (12), isolated previously, were evaluated for their antiviral activities against Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and African swine fever virus (ASFV). Lupenone exhibited strong viral plaque inhibitory effect against HSV-1 and HSV-2. The in vitro antifungal and antibacterial activities of la, cycloart-23-ene-3beta,25-diol, 3-acetate (3a) and 6-12 were also investigated.     

Microbial transformation of (+)-androsta-1 ,4-diene-3,17-dione by Cephalosporium aphidicola

Fermentation of (+)-androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione ([structure: see text]) with Cephalosporium aphidicola for 8 days yielded oxidative and reductive metabolites, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione ([structure: see text]), 17beta-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3-one ([structure: see text]), 11alpha-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione ([structure: see text]), 11alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione ([structure: see text]), 11alpha,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3-one ([structure: see text]) and 11alpha,17beta-dihydroxyandrosta-1,4-diene-3-one ([structure: see text]). The fermentation of [structure: see text] with Fusarium lini also yielded metabolites [structure: see text]. The structures of these metabolites were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques.     

The microbial hydroxylation of levonorgestrel

The microbial transformation of levonorgestrel (1) by Cunningham elegans resulted in the formation of five hydroxylated metabolites, 13-ethyl-10beta, 17beta-dihydroxy-18,19-dinor-17alpha-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one(2), 13-ethyl-6beta,17beta-dihydroxy-18,19-dinor-17alpha-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one (3) 13-ethyl 6beta, 10beta, 17beta-trihydroxy-18,19-dinor-17alpha-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one (4) 13-ethyl-15alpha-17beta-dihydroxy-18,19-dinor-17alpha-pregn-4-en-20-yn-3-one (5) and 13-ethyl-11alpha, 17beta-dihydroxy-18,19-dinor-17alpha-pregn-4en-20-yn-3-one. The fermentation of one with Rhizopus stolonifer, Fusarium lini and Curvularia lunata afforded compound 2 as a major metabolise. These metabolites were structurally characterized on the basis of spectroScopic techniques. Metabolite 6 was identified as a new compound. Compounds 2 2 ad 5 displayed inhibitory activity against the acetylcholinesterase ( AChE, EC. 3.1.1.7) with IC50 values of 79.2 and 24.5 microM, respectively. The metabolites 2 and 5 also showed inhibitory activity against the butyryLcholinesterase ( BChE, E.C 3.1.1.8) with IC50 values ranging between 9.4 and 309.8 microM.     

Terpenoids from Chloranthus multistachys

Two new diterpenoids, ent-17-hydroxyl-16beta-methoxyl-kauran-3-one (1) and ent-17-acetoxyl-16beta-methoxyl-kauran-3-one (2), along with nine known compounds (3-12), ent-17-hydroxyl-kaur-15-en-3-one (3), ent-3beta-acetoxyl-kaur-15-en-16beta, 17-diol (4), ent-kauran-3beta, 16beta, 17-triol (5), ent-3beta-acetoxyl-kauran-16beta, 17-diol (6), ent-kauran-16beta, 17-diol (7), abbeokutone (8), ent-17alpha-acetyl-16beta-hydroxyl- kauran-3-one (9), shizukaol F (10), cycloshizukaol A (11) and curcolonol (12), were isolated from Chloranthus multistachys (Chloranthaceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic spectra.     

Sesquiterpenes, nortriterpenes and other constituents from Ligularia tongolensis

Two new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenes, 3beta-(2'-methylbutanoyloxy)-8betaH-eremophil-7(11)-ene-12,8alpha-(14,6alpha)-diolide (1) and 8betaH-eremophil-3,7(11)-diene-12,8alpha(14,6alpha)-diolide (2), and two new norursane-type triterpenes, 2alpha,3beta,19alpha-trihydroxy-28-norurs-12-ene (7) and 2alpha,3alpha,19alpha-trihydroxy-28-norurs-12-ene (8), were isolated from the roots of Ligularia tongolensis, together with nine known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.     

6alpha-Methylandrostenedione: gas chromatographic mass spectrometric detection in doping control

In recent years products containing 6alpha-methylandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione have appeared on the sport supplement market. Scientific studies have proven aromatase inhibition and anabolic and mild androgenic properties; however, no preparation has been approved for medical use up to now. In sports 6alpha-methylandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione has to be classified as a prohibited substance according to the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). For the detection of its misuse the metabolism was studied following the administration of two preparations obtained from the Internet (Formadrol and Methyl-1-Pro). Several metabolites as well as the parent compounds were synthesized and the structures of 3alpha-hydroxy-6alpha-methyl-5beta-androstan-17-one, 6alpha-methylandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione, and 5beta-dihydromedroxyprogesterone were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The main metabolite, 3alpha-hydroxy-6alpha-methyl-5beta-androstan-17-one, was found to be excreted as glucuronide and was still detectable in microg/mL amounts until urine collection was terminated (after 25 h). Additionally, samples from routine human sports doping control had already tested positive for the presence of metabolites of 6alpha-methylandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione. Screening analysis can be easily performed by the existing screening procedure for anabolic steroids using 3alpha-hydroxy-6alpha-methyl-5beta-androstan-17-one as target substance (limit of detection <10 ng/mL). Its discrimination from the closely eluting drostanolone metabolite, 3alpha-hydroxy-2alpha-methyl-5alpha-androstan-17-one, is possible as the mono-TMS derivative.     

Isolation of 5 alpha- and 5 beta-dihydrorubrosterone from Silene otites L. (Wib)

5 alpha-Dihydrorubrosterone (2 beta, 3 beta, 14 alpha, 17 beta-tetrahydroxy-5 alpha-androst-7-ene-6-one), a new 19-carbon 5 alpha-ecdysteroid, was isolated together with its 5 beta counterpart from the aerial parts of Silene otites L. (Wib.) (Caryophyllaceae) by a combination of solvent partition, low-pressure column chromatography, thin-layer chromatography (normal-phase and reversed-phase) and finally HPLC. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic procedures were used for compound characterization.     

Metabolic Studies of Clostebol Acetate in Horses

Clostebol acetate (4-chlorotestosterone acetate) is a synthetic anabolic steroid which may be used to enhance performance in racehorses. Studies on the in vitro biotransformation of clostebol acetate with horse liver microsomes were carried out. Six metabolites (C1 – C6) were detected. They were 4-chlorotestosterone (C1), 4-chloroandrost-4-en-3-ol-17-one (C2), 4-chloroandrost-4-ene-3,17-diol (C3), 4-chloroandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione (C4), 4-chloroandrost-4-en-6-ol-3,17-dione (C5) and 6-hydroxy-4-chlorotestosterone (C6). Clostebol acetate (350 mg) was administered orally to 2 thoroughbred geldings. The parent drug was not detected in post-administration urine, and only three metabolites C1, C3, and 4-chloroandrostane-3,17-diol (C7) were observed. The metabolic pathway for clostebol acetate is postulated. These studies have shown that metabolites C3 and C7 could be used as potential screening targets for controlling the abuse or misuse of clostebol acetate in racehorses.     

Blue chitin columns for the extraction of heterocyclic amines from cooked meat

The identification of the in vitro metabolites of dehydroepiandrosterone formed from human prostate homogenate was investigated by hyphenated techniques using the stable-isotope dilution method. A mixture of dehydroepiandrosterone and [2H4]dehydroepiandrosterone was incubated with hypertrophied human prostate tissue homogenate in the presence of NAD, NADH and NADPH. The metabolites were extracted with AcOEt-hexane, purified by solid-phase extraction, and then analyzed by LC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization MS and/or GC-MS. Androst-5-ene-3beta,17beta-diol (major product), androst-4-ene-3,17-dione, testosterone, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, androsterone, and 7alpha-hydroxydehydroepiandrosterone were identified in comparison with authentic samples based on their chromatographic behavior and mass spectra.     

Terpenoids and phenolics from Plectranthus strigosus, bioactivity screening

Further studies on Plectranthus sp. (Lamiaceae) led to the isolation of terpenes and phenol esters from Plectranthus strigosus Benth. ent-16-Kauren-19-ol (1), ent-16-kauren-19-oic acid (2), xylopic acid (3), xylopinic acid (4), hinokiol (5), 4 beta,6 beta-dihydroxy-1 alpha,5 beta(H)-guai-9-ene (6) 4 beta,6 beta-dihydroxy-1 alpha,5 beta(H)-guai-10(14)-ene (7), mixtures of hexacosan-1,26-diol and octacosan-1,28-diol ferulate diesters (8), of esters from ferulic acid and fatty alcohols (9) and of esters from fatty acids and 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethanol (10) were for the first time isolated from this genus. Supplementary spectral data for 3,8 and parvifloron D (11) metabolites are also presented. A bioactivity study revealed herpetic inhibitory properties for (1) and (2), and antioxidant ability for (5) and (8) phenolic constituents.