Synthesis and evaluation of analogs of tetracyclic Ganoderma alkaloids as inhibitors of the enzyme α-glucosidase

Abstract

A series of synthetic analogs of tetracyclic Ganoderma alkaloids were prepared via short routes in moderate overall yields by the reaction of 3-formylchromene derivatives with enamines prepared from cyclic 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of one of the tetracyclic products confirmed that they embody original tetrahydro-6H-chromeno[4,3-b]quinoline (and tetrahydrochromeno[4,3-b] cyclopenta[e]pyridine) skeletons. When tested as α-glucosidase inhibitors, these analogs proved to be up to 40 times more potent than acarbose, used as the reference inhibitor.