Cytotoxicity evaluation of phytochemicals from stingless bee (Tetragonula biroi) propolis.

Three prenylated flavonoids (1-3) were isolated from Tetragonula biroi propolis. The structures of the isolated compounds were characterized by NMR, IR, and UV spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analyses. The cytotoxicity activity of the crude extracts, fractions and the isolated compounds were established against four cell lines such as Caco-2, HeLa, MCF-7, and OVK-18. Among the tested compounds, compound 1 showed cytotoxicity activity against MCF-7 cell lines, whereas compound 2 showed good activity against Caco-2 and OVK-18 cell lines with IC50 values of 14.73 and 14.44, respectively. Moreover, compound 3 exhibited strong activity against OVK-18 cell lines. These findings contribute to the phytochemical understanding of the T. biroi propolis, and their cytotoxicity effects for future pharmaceutical purposes.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-acne activities of stingless bee (Tetragonula biroi) propolis.

We collected stingless bee propolis Tetragonula biroi in order to find materials for medicine and cosmetics applications from tropical rainforest resources. Even though this bee has some biological functions including a cancer cell line, hair growth promotion, asthma remedy, α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition, and antiviral action, the investigation on anti-acne has not been reported yet. This study was to focus on propolis Tetragonula biroi extracts and leads us to isolate active compounds for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-acne. We used methanol to obtain the extract from this propolis and assayed it with antioxidants, anti-inflammation, and anti-acne. The extract showed strong activity in antioxidants by DPPH radical scavenging activity (82.31% in 6.25 µg/ml). Via a column chromatography and Reveleris PREP purification system, we isolated 3'-O-methyldiplacone, nymphaeol A, and 5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxy-6-geranyl flavonol. These compounds showed potential biological activity with IC50 for antioxidant 6.33, 15.49, 17.32 µM; and antiinflammatory 121.54, 121.20, 117.31 µM. The isolated compounds showed anti-acne properties with properties 0.00, 14.11, and 13.78 mm for the inhibition zone (at a concentration of 1 µg/well), respectively. The results indicated that the propolis extract of Tetragonula biroi has the potential to be developed as a cosmetic agent; however, further work needs to be done to clarify its application.

Early stage ultraviolet irradiation damage to skin collagen can be suppressed by HPA axis control via controlled CYP11B.

UV rays constitute an extremely important environmental factor known to operate adaptative mechanisms that maintain biological homeostasis in the skin, adrenal glands, and the brain. The skin is extremely vulnerable to UV rays. UV rays deform collagen, the main component of elastic fibers, decreasing its normal function, and ultimately reducing skin's elasticity. We confirmed that psychological stress occurring during the early stages of UVB-irradiation degraded collagen function by inhibiting production rather than the decomposition of collagen, thereby promoting skin aging. UV irradiation for 0-2 weeks increased the level of a stress factor, corticosterone (CORT). High-performance liquid chromatography and western blot analysis confirmed that the increase was caused by enhanced CYP11B1/2 levels during steroid synthesis in the adrenal gland. Precursor levels decreased significantly during the two weeks of UV irradiation. Skin collagen and collagen fibers reduced drastically during this time. Furthermore, the administration of osilodrostat, a USFDA-approved drug that selectively inhibits CYP11B1/2, preserved skin collagen. The mechanism underlying the reduction of CORT by osilodrostat confirmed that the amount of skin collagen could be preserved with treatment. In addition, upon suppression of the CORT receptor, the amount of collagen was controlled, and skin aging was suppressed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Therefore, this study confirmed an inverse relationship between adrenal CYP11B1/2 levels and collagen during the initial stages of UV irradiation of the skin. The findings of this study may be useful for developing new detection mechanisms for aging, following their further verification.

Anatomical and Chemical Characterization of Ulmus Species from South Korea.

Ulmus species (Ulmaceae) are large deciduous trees distributed throughout Korea. Although their root and stem bark have been used to treat gastrointestinal diseases and wounds in folk medicine, commercial products are consumed without any standardization. Therefore, we examined anatomical and chemical differences among five Ulmus species in South Korea. Transverse sections of leaf, stem, and root barks were examined under a microscope to elucidate anatomical differences. Stem and root bark exhibited characteristic medullary ray and secretary canal size. Leaf surface, petiole, and midrib exhibited characteristic inner morphologies including stomatal size, parenchyma, and epidermal cell diameter, as well as ratio of vascular bundle thickness to diameter among the samples. Orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis of anatomical data efficiently differentiated the five species. To evaluate chemical differences among the five species, we quantified (-)-catechin, (-)-catechin-7-O-ß-D-apiofuranoside, (-)-catechin-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside, (-)-catechin-7-O-ß-D-xylopyranoside, (-)-catechin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside, and (-)-catechin-5-O-ß-D-apiofuranoside using high-performance liquid chromatography with a diode-array detector. (-)-Catechin-7-O-ß-D-apiofuranoside content was the highest among all compounds in all species, and (-)-catechin-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside content was characteristically the highest in Ulmus parvifolia among the five species. Overall, the Ulmus species tested was able to be clearly distinguished on the basis of anatomy and chemical composition, which may be used as scientific criteria for appropriate identification and standard establishment for commercialization of these species.

Cytotoxicity effect of honey, bee pollen, and propolis from seven stingless bees in some cancer cell lines.

Our effort to find new material for anti cancer from natural resources leads us to focus on stingless bee products such as honey, bee pollen, and propolis. The products were from seven stingless bees named Homotrigona fimbriata, Heterotrigona itama, Heterotrigona bakeri, Tetragonula sarawakensis, Tetragonula testaceitarsis, Tetragonula fuscobalteata, Tetragonula laeviceps. The stingless bee products were evaluated for their cytotoxicity effect on MCF-7, HeLa and Caco-2 cancer cell lines. This is the first time to be reported that the honey, ethanol extracts of bee pollen and propolis of H. fimbriata displayed more potent cytotoxicity than other stingless bee products. By chromatography and biological activity-guided fractionation, ethanol extract of propolis from H. fimbriata was fractionated and isolated its active compound named mangiferonic acid. Mangiferonic acid showed a cytotoxicity effect with IC50 values 96.76 µM in MCF-7, >110.04 µM in HeLa, and > 110.04 µM in Caco-2, respectively. These results exhibited the potential of ethanol extracts from propolis of H. fimbriata to be further developed for drug and experiments to verify the function are essential.

Enhanced Nrf2 up-regulation by extracellular basic pH in a human skin equivalent system.

Extracellular basic pH regulates cellular processes in wounds, and consequently influenced wound healing. Oxidative defence system modulation in the skin helps heal wounds, inhibits skin ageing and improves the skin condition. Moreover, the role of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in antioxidant systems has been reported in various skin models. However, the effects of extracellular basic pH on wound- or skin ageing-related skin damage have not been examined. Thus, we investigated the antioxidant systems affected by extracellular basic pH in a 3D human skin equivalent system (3HSE). Extracellular basic pH decreased KGF expression and enhanced the oxidative defence system, and thus activated Nrf2 in the 3HSE. Additionally, extracellular basic pH and KGF treatment up-regulated Nrf2 activation and its regulation of the oxidative defence system in the 3HSE. This indicates that Nrf2 up-regulation is enhanced by reactive oxygen species production, rather than KGF, and by extracellular basic pH of the skin. The inhibition of skin damage through pH imbalance and KGF regulation suggests that the development of pH-regulating or pH-maintaining materials may provide effective therapeutic strategies for maintaining a healthy skin.

Concentrations of THC, CBD, and CBN in commercial hemp seeds and hempseed oil sold in Korea.

Hemp seeds and hempseed oil are marketed on- and off-line as health foods and cosmetics and have been reported to have high nutrient contents. However, because of the various side effects of cannabinoids, especially △9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), many countries regulate upper limits for THC in products, which creates the need for analytical techniques capable of measuring THC, cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) levels in commercial hemp seeds and hempseed oil. In the present study, hemp seed and hempseed oil extracts obtained by methanol extraction, were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Validation of the technique used was performed using calibration curves and by determining LODs, LOQs, specificities, selectivities, and intra- and inter-day precision and accuracies. In addition, matrix effects, process efficiencies, recoveries, and sample stabilities were investigated. In hemp seeds, as determined using the fully optimized method THC concentrations ranged from 0.06 to 5.91 µg/g, CBD concentrations from 0.32 to 25.55 µg/g, and CBN concentrations from 0.01 to 1.50 µg/g; CBN/THC ratios ranged from 0.1 to 1.60, and CBD/THC ratios from 0.11 to 62.56. Furthermore, the (THC + CBN)/CBD ratio of most hemp seed samples was less than one. In hempseed oil, THC concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 19.73 µg/mL, CBD concentrations from 6.66 to 63.40 µg/mL, CBN concentrations from 0.11 to 2.31 µg/mL, CBN/THC ratios from 0.12 to 0.42, and CBD/THC ratios from 3.21 to 22.50. Furthermore, (THC + CBN)/CBD ratios in all hempseed oil samples were less than one. The optimized methanol extraction-GC/MS technique was found to be satisfactory for determining THC, CBD, and CBN concentrations in hemp seeds and hempseed oil.

Melatonin inhibits attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder caused by atopic dermatitis-induced psychological stress in an NC/Nga atopic-like mouse model.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with the hallmark characteristics of pruritus, psychological stress, and sleep disturbance, all possibly associated with an increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the etiology of the possible association between AD and ADHD is still not well understood. 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene or corticosterone was used to evaluate the atopic symptom and its psychologic stress in the atopic mice model. Melatonin, corticotropin-releasing hormone, corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor, urocortin, proopiomelanocortin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosterone, cAMP, cAMP response element-binding protein, dopamine and noradrenaline were analyzed spectrophotometrically, and the expression of dopamine beta-hydroxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase were measured by Western blotting or immunohistochemistry. AD-related psychological stress caused an increase in the levels of dopamine beta-hydroxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase, degradation of melatonin, hyper-activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and dysregulation of dopamine and noradrenaline levels (ADHD phenomena) in the locus coeruleus, prefrontal cortex, and striatum of the AD mouse brain. Notably, melatonin administration inhibited the development of ADHD phenomena and their-related response in the mouse model. This study demonstrated that AD-related psychological stress increased catecholamine dysfunction and accelerated the development of psychiatric comorbidities, such as ADHD.

Ethanol Extract of Evodia rutaecarpa Attenuates Cell Growth through Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia-1 Cells.

The dried fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa Bentham have been used widely as a herbal medicine for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and abdominal pain. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a nonmalignant disease characterized by overgrowth of prostates. Despite the pharmacological efficacy of the fruits of E. rutaecarpa against various diseases, their effects against BPH have not been reported. Here, we investigated the inhibitory activity of a 70% ethanol extract of E. rutaecarpa (EEER) against BPH, and its underlying mechanisms regarding cell growth of BPH using BPH-1 cells. An in vitro 5α-reductase activity assay showed that EEER exhibited inhibitory activity against 5α-reductase. In BPH-1 cells, EEER treatment inhibited cell viability and reduced the expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1, and phosphor-ERK1/2 proteins. Moreover, EEER also induced apoptosis, with chromatin condensation, apoptotic bodies, and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Regarding its underlying mechanisms, EEER exacerbated the activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 in a concentration-dependent manner and eventually caused the cleavage of PARP. Taken together, these data demonstrated that EEER had a potent 5α-reductase inhibitory activity and that EEER treatment in BPH-1 cells inhibited cell viability via caspase-8- and caspase-3-dependent apoptosis. Therefore, EEER may be a potential phytotherapeutic agent for the treatment of BPH.

Inhibitory effects of Ponciri Fructus on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats.

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is non-cancerous condition of enlargement of the prostate, a common occurrence in older men. The immature fruits of Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Rafinesque (Rutaceae), Ponciri Fructus are widely used in traditional oriental medicine for the therapy of various diseases. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of BPH. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of a Ponciri Fructus extract (PFE) on the development of BPH in a in a rat model of BPH induced by testosterone propionate (TP). METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were used as a model of BPH after its induction by daily subcutaneous injections of TP/corn oil, for a period of four weeks. PFE was administrated daily 1 h before TP/corn oil injection by oral gavage at a dose level of 200 mg/kg during the 4 weeks of TP/corn oil injections. All rats were sacrificed at the end of the experiment, we measured the relative prostate weight, the levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), histological changes, activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase), and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). In addition, we also measured the inhibition (%) of 5α-reductase in the prostatic tissue. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that PFE significantly inhibited the development of BPH; decreased the relative prostate weight, the level of testosterone and DHT in serum and prostatic tissue, prostatic hyperplasia, expression of PCNA, and increased the antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, PFE showed a weak inhibitory activity on 5α-reductase. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PFE may be used as a therapeutic agent for BPH via antiproliferative and antioxidant effects.

Melatonin inhibits neuronal dysfunction-associated with neuroinflammation by atopic psychological stress in NC/Nga atopic-like mouse models.

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as atopic eczema, is chronic pruritic skin disease. AD can increase psychological stress as well, increasing glucocorticoid release and exacerbating the associated symptoms. Chronic glucocorticoid elevation disturbs neuroendocrine signaling and can induce neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity, and cognitive impairment; however, it is unclear whether AD-related psychological stress elevates glucocorticoids enough to cause neuronal damage. Therefore, we assessed the effects of AD-induced stress in a mouse AD model. AD-related psychological stress increased astroglial and microglial activation, neuroinflammatory cytokine expression, and markers of neuronal loss. Notably, melatonin administration inhibited the development of skin lesions, scratching behavior, and serum IgE levels in the model mice, and additionally caused a significant reduction in corticotropin-releasing hormone responsiveness, and a significant reduction in neuronal damage. Finally, we produced similar results in a corticosterone-induced AD-like skin model. This is the first study to demonstrate that AD-related psychological stress increases neuroendocrine dysfunction, exacerbates neuroinflammation, and potentially accelerates other neurodegenerative disease states.

Acceleration of Apoptosis by Extracellular Basic pH in a 3D Human Skin Equivalent System.

Previously, we have shown that extracellular basic pH plays a significant role in both the direct and indirect regulation of cellular processes in a wound; this in turn affects the wound-healing process. Several studies have demonstrated the importance of apoptosis modulation in the wound-healing process, especially in removing inflammatory cells and in inhibiting scar formation. However, the effects of extracellular basic pH on wound healing-related skin damage are yet to be examined. Therefore, we investigated the induction of accelerated apoptosis by extracellular basic pH in skin. Apoptosis-related protein levels were measured using an array kit, target protein expression levels were detected by immunostaining, lactate dehydrogenase was analyzed spectrophotometrically, and Annexin V levels were measured by fluorescence staining. Basic pH (8.40) strongly upregulated extrinsic apoptosis proteins (Fas, high temperature requirement A, and p21) and slightly upregulated intrinsic apoptosis proteins (cytochrome c, B-cell lymphoma 2 [Bcl-2], Bcl-2-associated death promoter, and Bcl-2-like protein 4) in a 3D human skin equivalent system. Moreover, basic pH (8.40) induced heat shock protein (HSP) 60 and 70. In addition, basic pH-exposed Fas- and HSP60-knockdown cells showed significantly decreased levels of apoptosis. Taken together, these results indicate that extracellular basic pH increases early-stage apoptosis through Fas/FasL via modulation of HSP60 and HSP70.

6-Shogaol, an active compound of ginger, alleviates allergic dermatitis-like skin lesions via cytokine inhibition by activating the Nrf2 pathway.

Allergic dermatitis (AD) clinically presents with skin erythematous plaques, eruption, and elevated serum IgE, and T helper cell type 2 and 1 (Th2 and Th1) cytokine levels. 6-Shogaol [1-(4-hydroxy-methoxyphenyl)-4-decen-one], a pungent compound isolated from ginger, has shown anti-inflammatory effects, but its inhibitory effects on AD are unknown. The aim of this study was to examine whether 6-shogaol inhibits AD-like skin lesions and their underlying mechanism in vivo and in vitro. An AD-like response was induced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)+IFN-γ in human keratinocytes or by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in mice. In vivo, 6-shogaol inhibited the development of DNCB-induced AD-like skin lesions and scratching behavior, and showed significant reduction in Th2/1-mediated inflammatory cytokines, IgE, TNF-α, IFN-γ, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, IL-1, 4, 12, and 13, cyclooxygenase-2, and nitric oxide synthase levels. In vitro, 6-shogaol inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signaling, and increased the levels of total glutathione, heme oxygenase-1, and quinone 1 via nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation. 6-Shogaol can alleviate AD-like skin lesions by inhibiting immune mediators via regulating the ROS/MAPKs/Nrf2 signaling pathway, and may be an effective alternative therapy for AD.

Acceleration of Collagen Breakdown by Extracellular Basic pH in Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Wound healing is a complex regeneration process involving the degradation and reassembly of connective tissues and skin layers. Previous studies have shown that pH plays a significant role in both the direct and indirect regulation of cellular processes in the wound, which, in turn, affect the wound healing process. However, the effects of pH on the collagen breakdown component of wound healing have yet to be investigated. Therefore, we investigated the induction of accelerated collagen breakdown by pH imbalance in the skin. METHODS: Na+/H+ exchanger and metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 were analyzed spectrophotometrically, and the expression of collagen type-I-alpha-1 (COL1A1) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: Accelerated collagen breakdown induced by extracellular basic pH via the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and MAPK signaling was examined in skin fibroblasts and in a three-dimensional human skin equivalent system. Basic pH (>7.50) upregulated MMP-1 and downregulated COL1A1 levels via ROS generation and MAPK signaling pathways. Acidic pH (<6.04) slightly upregulated MMP-1 and slightly downregulated COL1A1 levels via ROS generation and the p38 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that skin pH is an important effector of collagen formation in wound healing. This finding will aid in the development of new pH-targeted therapeutic strategies.

Effect of Curculigo orchioides on reflux esophagitis by suppressing proinflammatory cytokines.

This study was performed to investigate effects of Curculigo orchioides rhizome (curculiginis rhizome) on acute reflux esophigitis (RE) in rats that are induced by pylorus and forestomach ligation operation. Proinflammatory cytokine, as well as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 were all assayed and the expression of TNF-α and COX2 analyzed by RT-PCR. The esophagic tissue damage of reflux esophagitis rat was increased compared to that of normal intact group. However, the esophagic damage percentage from the extract of curculiginis rhizoma (ECR) 600 mg/kg and ECR 300 mg/kg were significantly lower than that of the RE control group. Administration of α-tocopherol (30 mg/kg) and ECR (600 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg) had a significant effect on the gastric acid pH in rats with induced reflux esophagitis (p < 0.05). The treatment with ECR significantly reduced the production of cytokines TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6 levels compared to the model group (p < 0.05). The expression of TNF-α and COX2 in the intact esophageal mucosa was low while those of the RE control group were significantly higher due to an inflammatory reaction in the esophagus. Compare to the model group, treatment with α-tocopherol or ECR significantly inhibited the expression levels of COX2 and TNF-α in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that anti-inflammatory and protective effects of ECR could attenuate the severity of reflux esophagitis and prevent esophageal mucosal damage.

Inhibitory effects of isoflavonoids on rat prostate testosterone 5α-reductase.

Testosterone 5α-reductase inhibitors represent important therapeutic drugs for use against androgen-dependent diseases such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, male pattern baldness, and acne. We have searched for inhibitors of rat prostate testosterone 5α-reductase in the cultured broths of many kinds of soil bacteria, and have found that cultured soybean-casein digest broths of certain bacterial strains have a potent inhibitory effect on the enzyme. We tested 10 selected isoflavonoids, including isoflavones and O-methylated isoflavones, for inhibitory effects on rat prostate testosterone 5α-reductase to determine the important structural elements for inhibition of the enzyme. Genistein, biochanin A, equol, and 3',4',7-trihydroxyisoflavone showed considerably higher inhibitory effects whereas daidzein, formononetin, glycitein, prunetin, ipriflavone, and 4',7-dimethoxyisoflavone showed lower inhibitory effects. The IC(50) values of genistein, biochanin A, equol, 3',4',7-trihydroxyisoflavone, and riboflavin, a positive control, for rat prostate testosterone 5α-reductase were 710 µm, 140 µm, 370 µm, 690 µm, and 17 µm, respectively. Daidzein, genistein, biochanin A, formononetin, and equol are already known to be testosterone 5α-reductase inhibitors, but this is the first characterization of 3',4',7-trihydroxyisoflavone as an inhibitor of the enzyme.

Biological activity and phytochemical analysis of three Indonesian medicinal plants, Murraya koenigii, Syzygium polyanthum and Zingiber purpurea.

Extracts of Indonesian medicinal plants, Murraya koenigii, Syzygium polyanthum, and Zingiber purpurea were investigated for their biological activity. The presence of phytochemicals, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were investigated. Parts of M. koenigii, S. polyanthum, and Z. purpurea were extracted with ethanol. The extracts were evaluated for antimicrobial activity using the disc diffusion method, while antioxidant activity was determined with a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay. Cytotoxicity was investigated using the brine shrimp lethality test, and phytochemical screening was performed using a standard method. M. koenigii leaf extract exhibited the most activity in the test microorganism activity index (AI), 0.38-1.25, when compared with standard drugs. S. polyanthum ripened fruit displayed significant antioxidant activity (90%) in comparison to ascorbic acid (95%). Z. purpurea rhizome extract possessed the highest cytotoxic effect with a LC(50) of 52 µg/mL. Phytochemical analysis revealed that carbohydrate, tannin, alkaloid, steroid, triterpenoid, and flavonoid were present in the extracts of M. koenigii leaves and twigs, S. polyanthum leaves and ripened and unripe fruits, and Z. purpurea rhizome, while saponin was only present in the S. polyanthum ripened fruit extract. Our work revealed that the M. koenigii leaves, S. polyanthum ripened fruit, and Z. purpurea rhizome extracts have potential as sources of new antimicrobial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic compounds, respectively.

Synthesis and 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of C21 steroids having 1,4-diene or 4,6-diene 20-ones and 4-azasteroid 20-oximes.

The synthesis and evaluation of 5α-reductase inhibitory activity of some 4-azasteroid-20-ones and 20-oximes and 3ß-hydroxy-, 3ß-acetoxy-, or epoxy-substituted C21 steroidal 20-ones and 20-oximes having double bonds in the A and/or B ring are described. Inhibitory activity of synthesized compounds was assessed using 5α-reductase enzyme and [1,2,6,7-³H]testosterone as substrate. All synthesized compounds were less active than finasteride (IC50: 1.2 nM). Three 4-azasteroid-2-oximes (compounds 4, 6 and 8) showed good inhibitory activity (IC50: 26, 10 and 11 nM) and were more active than corresponding 4-azasteroid 20-ones (compounds 3, 5 and 7). 3ß-Hydroxy-, 3ß-acetoxy- and 1α,2α-, 5α,6α- or 6α,7α-epoxysteroid-20-one and -20-oxime derivatives having double bonds in the A and/or B ring showed no inhibition of 5α-reductase enzyme.