3-Carboxy-20-keto steroids are dual uncompetitive inhibitors of human steroid 5 alpha-reductase types 1 and 2.

ABSTRACT

Steroidal 3-carboxy-20-ketones have been prepared within two structural series, the androsta-3,5-dienes and the estra-1,3,5-trienes, as potential inhibitors of types 1 and 2 steroid 5 alpha-reductase, the enzyme activity responsible for the final step in biosynthesis of dihydrotestosterone. These compounds are shown to be potent uncompetitive inhibitors of both human recombinant enzyme activities, defining a novel class of dual steroid 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors.