Synthesis of Sea Cucumber Saponins with Antitumor Activities

J Org Chem. 2020 Oct 2;85(19):12080-12096. doi: 10.1021/acs.joc.0c01191. Epub 2020 Sep 22.

Abstract

Holostane glycosides are characteristic metabolites of sea cucumbers, which possess various biological activities. Here, we report the synthesis of two representative congeners, namely, pervicoside B and C, starting from lanosterol with the longest linear sequence of both 34 steps and in 0.3% overall yields. The flexible synthetic approach has enabled us to expeditiously prepare 16 analogues for preliminary studies on the key structural features influencing their antiproliferative activities against tumor cells. A simplified disaccharide is found to be as potent as natural tetrasaccharides, which can be used as a lead for future studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Glycosides
  • Saponins* / pharmacology
  • Sea Cucumbers*
  • Triterpenes*

Substances

  • Glycosides
  • Saponins
  • Triterpenes