Synthesis and biological activity of side-chain analogues of ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone

Abstract

Side-chain analogues of 20-hydroxyecdysone 1 and ecdysone 2 containing a tetrahydrofuran ring, including shidasterone 4, have been prepared and assessed for biological activity using a bioassay derived from a tumorous B _II blood cell line of Drosophila melanogaster. The synthetic strategy involves selective protection of the 2,3-cis-diol of 1 and 2 followed by activation of the C-22 hydroxy group prior to ring-closure.