C-6α- vs C-7α-Substituted Steroidal Aromatase Inhibitors: Which Is Better? Synthesis, Biochemical Evaluation, Docking Studies, and Structure-Activity Relationships

J Med Chem. 2019 Apr 11;62(7):3636-3657. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00157. Epub 2019 Mar 26.

Abstract

C-6α and C-7α androstanes were studied to disclose which position among them is more convenient to functionalize to reach superior aromatase inhibition. In the first series, the study of C-6 versus C-7 methyl derivatives led to the very active compound 9 with IC50 of 0.06 μM and Ki = 0.025 μM (competitive inhibition). In the second series, the study of C-6 versus C-7 allyl derivatives led to the best aromatase inhibitor 13 of this work with IC50 of 0.055 μM and Ki = 0.0225 μM (irreversible inhibition). Beyond these findings, it was concluded that position C-6α is better to functionalize than C-7α, except when there is a C-4 substituent simultaneously. In addition, the methyl group was the best substituent, followed by the allyl group and next by the hydroxyl group. To rationalize the structure-activity relationship of the best inhibitor 13, molecular modeling studies were carried out.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aromatase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Aromatase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Steroids / chemistry
  • Steroids / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Aromatase Inhibitors
  • Steroids