Synthesis, Structure, and In Vitro Biological Evaluation of Semi-Synthetic Derivatives of Betulin

Betulin and α-lipoic acid are naturally occurring substances with different biological properties. Combining two phytochemical units into a conjugate is a frequently used method to obtain new compounds with better pharmacokinetic parameters. This research concerned the preparation of lipoate derivat...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Elwira Chrobak, Marta Świtalska, Joanna Wietrzyk, Ewa Bębenek
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/21/9970
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Betulin and α-lipoic acid are naturally occurring substances with different biological properties. Combining two phytochemical units into a conjugate is a frequently used method to obtain new compounds with better pharmacokinetic parameters. This research concerned the preparation of lipoate derivatives of betulin using the Steglich method. Experimental lipophilicity values were determined for target compounds <b>6</b>–<b>10</b> by reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography. In silico methods were used to calculate the physicochemical parameters and lipophilicity of new derivatives and to determine the probable directions of biological activity. α-Lipoic acid, betulin, and lipoate derivatives <b>6</b>–<b>10</b> were tested for antiproliferative activity against MV4-11, A549, MCF-7, PC-3, HCT116, MiaPaca-2, and Hs294T cancer cells. 3-(5-(1,2-Dithiolan-3-yl)pentanoyl))betulin <b>10</b> showed moderate anticancer activity against MV4-11, PC-3, and HCT116, with IC<sub>50</sub> values in the range of 39.8–76.7 µM. The introduction of a dithiolate substituent at the C3 position in 28-acetylbetulin gave compound <b>9</b> the highest activity (IC<sub>50</sub> = 37.9 µM), in the ratio of biphenotypic B myelomonocytic leukemia cells (MV4-11). All lipoate derivatives were inactive towards normal cells.
ISSN:2076-3417