NOVEL ANDROST-4-ENE-3,17-DIONE DERIVATIVES AND PROCESS FOR THEIR PREPARATION

Abstract: Androst-4-ene-3,17-diones of formula (I) are new; where X is =O or beta-OR; Y is H or OH; Z is H or OH; and R is H, acetyl, propionyl, isobutyryl or pivaloyl. Pref. 14alpha-hydroxyandrost-4-ene -3,6,17-trione; 6beta,11alpha-dihydroxyandrost -4-end-3,17-dione; 6beta,14alpha-dihydroxyandrost -4-ene-3,17-dione; 6beta-acetoxy-14alpha-hydroxyandrost -4-ene-3,17-dione; 14alpha-hydroxy-6beta-propionyloxy androst-4-ene-3,17-dione; 14alpha-hydroxy- 6beta-isobutyryloxyandrost -4-end-3,17-dione and 14alpha-hydroxy-6beta pivaloyloxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione. Prepn. comprises culturing Acremonium species (esp. A.strictum NN-106; FERM P-9143) in the presence of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione gives (I, X = beta-OH) which may be oxidised to (I, X = =O) or acylated (e.g. with an acid anhydride).

Description: This invention relates to androstene derivatives having biological activities such as inhibiting activity against estrogen-synthesizing enzyme (aromatase) derived from human placenta. These compounds are expected to be used in the field of medicine. In addition, it has been found that a part of the derivatives of this invention has also growth-inhibiting activity against human mammary cancer cells (MCF-7). Therefore these compounds are also expected to be utilized as anticancer drugs. A variety of androstene derivatives has already been found to date and many of them have been known to exhibit various biological activities. However, the androstene derivative of this invention is a novel compound, and hence the biological activities thereof have of course been unknown. For example, K Tori et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 13 1657 (1968) discloses 6β acetoxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione in a study of the distorted conformation of some 6β-substituted Δ⁴-3-Ketosteroids. H. Sekihara et al. J. Steroid Biochem 14 , 327 (1981) discloses 6β hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione which is useful as an amplifier of the kaliuretic action of aldosterone. This derivative is also disclosed by J. A. Gustafsson et al. Acta Endocrin. 65 , 84 (1970) as a product of the conversion of testosterone in rat liver microsomes. Furthermore, a method for the preparation of 6β acetoxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione, 6β hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione and androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione by the oxidation of steroid compounds with manganese dioxide is described in US-A-2,786,855. The 6β-hydroxy derivative may also be prepared by the bioconversion of 9β, 10α-androst-4-ene-3,17-dione using Rhizopus arrhizus CBS 127.08 as described by J. Favero et al in Bull. Soc. Chim Fr. 1979 p56-60. The present inventors have researched the action of microorganisms belonging to Acremonium sp ., e.g. a strain of mold fungi, in a substrate of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione which is a known androgen. In this invention, as a result, it has been found that two types of novel androstene derivatives are produced. The present inventors have further subjected one of the derivatives produced above to a reaction in the presence of a specific catalyst. Consequently, it has been found that another androstene derivative having similar biological activities can be obtained. It has also been found that the specific functional group of the same derivative used for the reaction can be substituted with the acyl group to give new derivatives having similar biological activities. The present invention provides an androst-4-ene-3,17-dione derivative represented by the formula (I): wherein X is =O or αHβOR, Y and Z are H or αOH, and where R is -H, -COCH₃, -COCH₂CH₃, -COCH(CH₃)₂, or -COC(CH₃)₃ with the proviso that when X is =O, αHβOH or αHβOCOCH₃, at least one of Y and Z is OH. Representative examples of these derivatives have the following chemical names. Androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione-14α-ol (the ist compound of this invention described in claim 2) Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β, 11α-diol (the 2nd compound of this invention described in claim 3) Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β,14α-diol (the 3rd compound of this invention described in claim 4) Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β-acetoxy-14α-ol (the 4th compound of this invention described in claim 5) Androst-4-ene-3, 17-dione-6β-propionyloxy-14α-ol (the 5th compound of this invention described in claim 6) Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β-isobutyryloxy-14α-ol (the 6th compound of this invention described in claim 7) Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β-trimethylacetoxy-14α-ol (the 7th compound of this invention described in claim 8) The present invention also provides a method for preparing an androst-4-en-3,17-dione derivative represented by the formula (VI): characterised in that at least one of Y and Z is OH and the other is H or OH and in that a microorganism belonging to Acremonium sp. is brought into contact with androst-4-ene-3,17-dione to prepare the derivative. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures 1 - 3 relate to the 1st compound of this invention. Figure 1 illustrates an ultraviolet (UV) absorption spectrum. Figure 2 is a EI mass spectrum. Figure 3 shows an infrared (IR) absorption spectrum. Figures 4 - 8 relate to the 2nd compound of this invention. Figure 4 illustrates an IR absorption spectrum. Figure 5 show a proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum. Figure 6 illustrates a 13C-NMR spectrum. Figure 7 illustrates the growth-inhibiting activity of the 2nd compound against human mammary cancel cells (MCF-7). Figure 8 illustrates the activity when tamoxifen is used in combination with the 2nd compound. Figures 9 - 15 relate to the 3rd compound of this invention. Figure 9 shows an UV absorption spectrum. Figure 10 shows an EI mass spectrum. Figure 11 shows an IR absorption spectrum. Figure 12 shows a proton NMR spectrum. Figure 13 shows a 13C-NMR spectrum. Figure 14 illustrates the growth-inhibiting activity of the 3rd compound against human mammary cancer cells (MCF-7). Figure 15 illustrates the activity when tamoxifen is used in combination with the 3rd compound. Figure 16 shows an EI mass spectrum of androst-4-ene-3, 17-dione-6-β-acetoxy-14α-ol which is the 4th compound of this invention. Figure 17 shows an IR absorption spectrum of the same compound. This invention is to provide a novel androst-4-ene-3,17-dione derivative having biological activities, and will hereinafter be illustrated in detail by way of examples. Culture of microorganisms and conversion of substrate by the microorganisms Acremonium strictum NN106 (Deposit No. FERM P-9143) which is a strain of mold fungi was inoculated on 100 ml of the culture medium composition indicated in Table 1 in a Erlenmeyer flask having a volume of 500 ml. The culture was incubated and shaken simultaneously at 24°C for 48 hours in a incubator with a rotary shaker. The above strain was deposited as FERM P-9143 in Fermentation Research Institute of the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology on January 21, 1987. As a substrate androst-4-ene-3,17-dione was dissolved in dimethylformamide in advance so as to obtain a substrate concentration of 50 mg/ml. After terminating the shaking of the culture, 2 ml of the above substrate solution was added to the culture medium in the Erlenmeyer flask, and then a further cultivation was carried out for 24 - 48 hours under the same conditions as above. After completing the reaction, solid matters and cells were removed from the resultant culture solution by filtration or centrifugal separation. The resultant supernatant was extracted three times, each time using one third of its volume of ethyl acetate. The solvent was removed from the extracted solution with a rotary evaporator. A crude fraction thus obtained was dissolved in chloroform (or methanol) and divided into further fractions with a high performance liquid chromatograph (manufactured by Senshu Science Co.). A silica gel column (20 mm diameter x 300 mm length) and a elution solvent (chloroform:methanol = 98:2) were used in the chromatography. A compound in a further divided fraction was identified as androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β,11α-diol (the 2nd compound of this invention) by its below described physiological and chemical properties. Another compound contained in a fraction which elutes later, for example, at 45 minutes as compared to 23 minutes for the above 2nd compound was identified as androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β,14α-diol (the 3rd compound of this invention). A novel compound androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β,11α-diol which is the 2nd compound of this invention is represented by the chemical formula (II): The compound is identified by the following physicochemical properties. A novel compound androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β,14α-diol which is the 3rd compound of this invention is represented by the chemical formula (III): The compound is identified by the following physicochemical properties. Preparation of androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione-14α-ol (the 1st compound of this invention) In a solution of 100 mg of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β,14α-diol obtained above in 4.8 ml of chloroform, 600 mg of activated manganese dioxide was added and reacted for several hours at room temperature. After completing the reaction, manganese dioxide was filtered and thoroughly washed. The solvent was removed from the filtrate with a rotary evaporator to obtain a crude fraction. The crude fraction was dissolved in a small amount of chloroform (or methanol) and divided into further fractions with a high performance liquid chromatograph (manufactured by Senshu Science Co.). A silica gel column (20 mm diameter x 300 mm) and a elution solvent (chloroform:methanol = 98:2) were used in the chromatography. Thus androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione-14α-ol was eluted to obtain the yield of 40 mg. The compound is represented by the chemical formula (IV): The compound is identified by the following physicochemical properties. Preparation of position-6 substituted derivatives Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β,14α-diol is dissolved in a solvent such as pyridine. Acetic anhydride, propionic anhydride, isobutyric anhydride or trimethylacetic anhydride is added to the solution and thoroughly stirred for several hours at room temperature. Then water is added to the reaction mixture. The resultant aqueous solution is extracted with ether. The ether extract is dehydrated with anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated. The 6-acyl derivatives of androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β,14α-diol are obtained as desired products in the yield of about 96%. These derivatives are novel compounds and represented by the chemical formula (V): wherein Physiological and chemical properties of these compounds are illustrated in Table 2. Human placenta derived estrogen synthetic enzyme inhibiting activity The above obtained androstene derivatives of this invention have a biologically inhibiting effect on the activity of human placenta-derived estrogen-synthesizing enzyme (aromatase). Thus these derivatives are expected to be utilized in the medical field with particular application to anticancer drugs. Therefore the inventors have examined the activity of these compounds. Method of measurement: According to the method of E.A. Thompson [J. Biol. Chem., 249 , 5364-5372 (1974)], aromatase was, extracted from human placenta and purified. The inhibiting effect of test compounds at the concentration of 20 µM was examined by measuring the enzyme activity in the substrate of [1β,2β-3H]androstene-dione. The results are illustrated in Table 3. Growth-inhibiting activity against human mammary cancer cells Growth-inhibiting activity against human mammary cancer cells (MCF-7) has been found in vitro on the 2nd and 3rd compounds of this invention described in claim 3 and claim 4 respectively. The test results will be illustrated below. Method of test: Eagle's minimum essential medium containing 5% of bovine fetal serum was placed in a laboratory dish having a diameter of 2 cm. Human mammary cancer cells (MCF-7) had previously been cultured in a similar medium and 1 x 10⁴ cells were inoculated on this medium. The inoculated medium was cultured at 37°C, for 2 days in 5% CO₂ atmosphere and then exchanged with another medium containing test compounds. The exchange was carried out thereafter every two days with other medium containing the test compounds. Trypsin treatment was time-dependently conducted during the test period and a number of cells were counted under a microscope to measure the growth of cells. The results are illustrated in Figure 7 (the 2nd compound of this invention) and Figure 14 (the 3rd compound of this invention) The synergistic effects of these compounds with commercially available tamoxifen (Trade Mark; Nolvatex) which is a anticancer drug were also examined. The effects have been found as illustrated in Figure 8 and Figure 15. Androgen activity Androgen activity, although which is comparatively weak, have been found on the 2nd compound of this invention, that is, androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β,11α-diol of claim 3. Reference to microorganisms deposited pursuant to Regulation 13 bis. Deposit Organization: Fermentation Research Institute of the Agency of Industrial Science and Technology Adress: 1-3, Higashi-1-chome, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken, JAPAN Deposit No.: FERM P-9143 Date of Deposit: January 21, 1987

Claims: 1. An androst-4-ene-3,17-dione derivative represented by the formula (I): wherein X is =O or αHβOR, Y and Z are H or αOH, and where R is -H, -COCH₃, -COCH₂CH₃, -COCH(CH₃)₂, or -COC(CH₃)₃ with the proviso that when X is =O, αHβOH or αHβOCOCH₃, at least one of Y and Z is αOH. 2. Androst-4-ene-3,6,17-trione-14α-ol. 3. Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β,11α-diol. 4. Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β,14α-diol. 5. Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β-acetoxy-14α-ol. 6. Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β-propionyloxy-14α-ol. 7. Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β-isobutyryloxy-14α-ol. 8. Androst-4-ene-3,17-dione-6β-trimethylacetoxy-14α-ol. 9. A method for preparing an androst-4-en-3,17-dione derivative represented by the formula (VI): characterised in that at least one of Y and Z is OH and the other is H or OH and in that a microorganism belonging to Acremonium sp. is brought into contact with androst-4-ene-3,17-dione to prepare the deravative. 10. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 8 for use as a medicament. 11. A compound according to claim 3 or claim 4 for use as a growth inhibitor against human mammary cancer cells.

Inventors: MIYATA, NOBUO, NAKAKOSHI, MASAMICHI, NAKAYAMA, SHOJI, TAMURA, KOJI 2-D, MATSUBARA MANSHON, YOSHIHAMA, MAKOTO
Applicants: SNOW BRAND MILK PRODUCTS & CO., LTD.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: C07J1
IPC codes: C12P33, C07J1