Synthesis and anticancer activity of aminopropoxytriterpenoids

Triterpenoids with aminopropoxy groups in C-28 or C-3 and C-28 positions were synthesized from betulin, erythrodiol, uvaol, oleantriol and betulinic acid N -methylpiperazinylamide by cyanoethylation and the following catalytic hydrogenolysis. Computational estimating activity spectra of the designed compounds pointed out on their probable antineoplastic and proapoptotic activities. Their in vitro cytotoxic activity was evaluated at the National Cancer Institute, USA. Aminopropoxy derivatives of betulin, erythrodiol and oleantriol demonstrated the highest cytotoxic activity toward the most of 60 used tumor cell lines. Bisaminopropoxyerythrodiol revealed in vivo significant antineoplastic activity toward five mouse solid transplantable tumors. The results of in silico investigations and the efficacy of compounds in a broad panel of cell lines in vitro and the activity of bisaminopropoxyerythrodiol on the in vivo tumor models strongly suggest aminopropoxytriterpenoids as promising compounds for further investigation as anticancer agents. Graphical Abstract