Chemical and biochemical approaches to the production of 7-hydroxylated C19-steroids.

Abstract Interest has developed into 7-hydroxylated derivatives of 3ß-hydroxylated C19-steroids, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and epiandrosterone because of their effects on inflammation, immune response, and cell repair. These steroids are not currently available from commercial sources, and it is necessary to produce them for relevant studies. We report here the chemical and biochemical approaches that were used for their production. Simplified chemical approaches lead to the production of 7α-/7ß-hydroxy-DHEA and 7ß-hydroxy-epiandrosterone in gram quantities, which are made available to researchers. Biochemical approaches were used to produce isotope-labeled compounds. Thus, 2H-, 3H-, and 14C-labeled 7α-/7ß-hydroxy-DHEA and 7ß-hydroxy-epiandrosterone could be produced in quantities sufficient for use in investigations into their mode of action.

Synthesis of 7ß-hydroxy-epiandrosterone.

The synthesis of 7ß-hydroxy-epiandrosterone (6) possessing strong anti-inflammatory properties was achieved starting from 3ß-acetoxy-17,17-(ethylenedioxy)-5-androsten (1). This approach involved as a main step an allylic oxidation of the C-7 followed by two reduction reactions of the double bond and of the carbonyl group. This stereoselective synthesis in 5 steps gave 7ß-hydroxy-epiandrosterone in 63% overall yield.

Synthesis of a 19-(O-carboxymethyl)oxime hapten of 7ß-hydroxy-epiandrosterone.

In order to develop an immunoassay of 7ß-hydroxy-epiandrosterone, a stereoselective synthesis of a specific hapten, 7ß-hydroxy-19-oxo-androstan 19-(O-carboxymethyl)oxime (17), was performed. This synthesis was achieved in 16% overall yield starting from the well-known 3ß-acetoxy-19-hydroxy-5-androsten-17-one (1). After coupling of the alkyl oxime moiety, an allylic oxidation of the C-7 carbon under mild conditions followed by two selective reductions established all the functionalities of the final compound 17.

Preparation of some pyrazoline derivatives and evaluation of their antifungal activities.

The synthesis of a new series of 1-[(benzazole-2-yl)thioacetyl]-3,5-diaryl-2-pyrazoline derivatives was obtained by reacting 1-(chloroacetyl)-3,5-diaryl-pyrazolines with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole/benzoxazole/benzothiazole. The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, and FAB(+)-MS spectral data. Their antifungal activities against Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida utilis, Candida tropicalis, Candida krusei, and Candida parapsilosis were investigated. A significant level of activity was observed.

Synthesis and anticandidal activity of some imidazopyridine derivatives.

New hydrazide derivatives of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine have been synthesized and evaluated for anticandidal activity. The reaction of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid hydrazides with various benzaldehydes gave N-(benzylidene)imidazo[ 1,2-a]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid hydrazide derivatives. Their anticandidal activities against Candida albicans and Candida glabrata (isolates obtained from Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey), Candida albicans (ATCC 90028), Candida utilis (NRLL Y-900), Candida tropicalis (NRLL Y-12968), Candida krusei (NRLL Y-7179), Candida zeylanoides (NRLL Y-1774), and Candida parapsilosis (NRLL Y-12696) were investigated.

New triazole and triazolothiadiazine derivatives as possible antimicrobial agents.

Triazole and triazoles fused with six-membered ring systems are found to possess diverse applications in the fields of medicine, agriculture and industry. The new 1,2,4-triazole and 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazine derivatives were synthesized as novel antimicrobial agents. The reaction of 1H-indol-3-acetic acid with thiocarbohydrazide gave the 4-amino-3-mercapto-5-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazole. The reaction of triazole with arylaldehydes in ethanol gave the 4-arylideneamino-3-mercapto-5-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazoles (I). The 3-[(1H-indol-3-yl)methyl]-6-aryl-7H-1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines (II) were obtained by condensing triazole with phenacyl bromides in absolute ethanol . The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by IR, (1)H NMR and FAB(+)-MS spectral data. Their antimicrobial activities against Micrococcus luteus (NRLL B-4375), Bacillus cereus (NRRL B-3711), Proteus vulgaris (NRRL B-123), Salmonella typhimurium (NRRL B-4420), Staphylococcus aureus (NRRL B-767), Escherichia coli (NRRL B-3704), Candida albicans and Candida glabrata (isolates obtained from Osmangazi University, Faculty of Medicine) were investigated and significant activity was obtained.

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of 1-(4-aryl-2-thiazolyl)-3-(2-thienyl)-5-aryl-2-pyrazoline derivatives.

Several 1-(4-aryl-2-thiazolyl)-3-(2-thienyl)-5-aryl-2-pyrazoline derivatives were synthesized by reacting substituted 3-(2-thienyl)-5-aryl-1-thiocarbamoyl-2-pyrazolines with phenacyl bromides in ethanol. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and EIMS spectral data. Their antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli (NRRL B-3704), Staphylococcus aureus (NRLL B-767), Salmonella typhimurium (NRRL B-4420), Bacillus cereus (NRRL B-3711), Streptococcus faecalis (NRRL B-14617), Aeromonas hydrophila (Ankara Uni. Fac. of Veterinary), Candida albicans and Candida glabrata (isolates obtained from Osmangazi Uni. Fac. of Medicine) were investigated. A significant level of activity was observed.

Synthesis and study of antibacterial and antifungal activities of novel 2-[[(benzoxazole/benzimidazole-2-yl)sulfanyl] acetylamino]thiazoles.

Several 2-[[(benzoxazole/benzimidazole-2-yl)sulfanyl]acetylamino]thiazoles derivatives were synthesized by reacting 4-substituted-2-(chloroacetylamino)thiazoles with benzoxazole/benzimidazole-2-thioles in acetone and in the presence of K2CO3. The chemical structures of the compounds were elucidated by IR, 1H-NMR, and FAB(+)-MS spectral data. Their antimicrobial activities against Micrococcus luteus (NRLL B-4375), Bacillus cereus (NRRL B-3711), Proteus vulgaris (NRRL B-123), Salmonella typhimurium (NRRL B-4420), Staphylococcus aureus (NRRL B-767), Escherichia coli (NRRL B-3704), Candida albicans and Candida globrata (isolates obtained from Osmangazi Uni. Fac.of Medicine) were investigated and in this investigation, a significant level of activity was illustrated.

Altered mitochondrial function and cholesterol synthesis influences protein synthesis in extended HepG2 spheroid cultures.

Cultures of hepatocytes and HepG2 cells provide useful in vitro models of liver specific function. In this study, we investigated metabolic and biosynthetic function in 3-D HepG2 spheroid cultures, in particular to characterise changes on prolonged culture. We show that HepG2 cells cultured in spheroids demonstrate a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and respiration following 10 days of culture. This coincides with a modest reduction in glycolysis but an increase in glucose uptake where increased glycogen synthesis occurs at the expense of the intracellular ATP pool. Lowered biosynthesis coincides with and is linked to mitochondrial functional decline since low glucose-adapted spheroids, which exhibit extended mitochondrial function, have stable biosynthetic activity during extended culture although biosynthetic function is lower. This indicates that glucose is required for biosynthetic output but sustained mitochondrial function is required for the maintenance of biosynthetic function. Furthermore, we show that cholesterol synthesis is markedly increased in spheroids cf. monolayer culture and that inhibition of cholesterol synthesis by lovastatin extends mitochondrial and biosynthetic function. Therefore, increased cholesterol synthesis and/or its derivatives contributes to mitochondrial functional decline in extended HepG2 spheroid cultures.

Aromatization of 1,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-2H-indol-2-ones by a novel process. Preparation of key-intermediate methyl 1-benzyl-5-methoxy-1H-indole-3-acetate and the syntheses of serotonin, melatonin, and bufotenin.

Imine 7 of 1,4-cyclohexanedione mono-ethylene ketal 6 was reacted with maleic anhydride, affording the cyclized adduct 8. Methyl esterification of 8, accompanied by transacetalization, led to the dihydrooxindole derivative 10. Aromatization of 10 was then accomplished with POCl(3), leading directly to the key-intermediate title compound 11 in 74% yield from ketone 6. Serotonin, melatonin, and bufotenin were then obtained by standard reactions.