title: Synthesis and in vitro study of 17 beta-[N-ureylene-N,N'-disubstituted]-4-methyl-4-aza-5 alpha-androstan-3-ones as selective inhibitors of type I 5 alpha-reductase.
abstract: A series of 17 beta-(N-ureylene-N,N'-disubstituted)-4-azasteroids as inhibitors of human type I 5 alpha-reductase (5 alpha-Re) were prepared from 17 beta-N-alkyl-4-methyl-4-aza-5 alpha-androstan-3-ones and various isocyanates. For the measurement of 5 alpha-Re activity, 293 cells transfected with human type I 5 alpha-Re, cDNA were used. Azasteroids with an N-cyclopropyl ring exhibited potent inhibitory activity against type I 5 alpha-Re. As the chain length increased, from the N'-ethyl to the N'-butyl chain, activity of compounds also increased and azasteroids with the N'-butyl chain showed strong inhibitory activity (IC50 = 5.3 nM). Branching of alkyl chains decreased the potency of compounds. Introduction of the 1,2-double bond significantly reduced the activity of azasteroids. Replacement of the N'-alkyl chain with the phenyl moiety gave the most active compound of this series (IC50 = 1.3 nM). Other variations such as the replacement of a N-cyclopropyl ring with the N-methyl or the N-butyl chain decreased the activity of compounds (compounds were less active compared with above). The IC50 values of N-methyl-N'-cyclohexyl- and N-butyl-N'-phenyl-ureylenes were 31.5 and 11.5 nM. respectively. In general, all azasteroids were poor inhibitors of Type II 5 alpha-Re.
authors.affiliation: Medicinal Chemistry Division, CHUL Research Center, Québec, Canada.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lourdusamy
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Côté
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laplante
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Labrie
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000731:Androstanes / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D013058:Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000731:Androstanes; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors