Synthesis and biological evaluation of the glycoside (25R)-3β,16β-diacetoxy-22-oxocholest-5-en-26-yl β-d-glucopyranoside: a selective anticancer agent in cervicouterine cell lines.

The synthesis and biological evaluation of the new cholestane glycoside (25R)-3β,16β-diacetoxy-22-oxocholest-5-en-26-yl β-d-glucopyranoside starting from diosgenin is described. This compound showed selective antiproliferative activity against CaSki, ViBo, and HeLa cervicouterine cancer cells. Its effect on the cell-cycle was determined. The cytotoxic effects of the title compound on cervicouterine cancer cell lines and human lymphocytes indicate that the main cell death process is not necrosis; hence it is not cytotoxic. The title compound induced apoptosis in cervicouterine cancer cells. Importantly, the antiproliferative activity on tumor cells did not affect the proliferative potential of peripheral blood lymphocytes. The title compound showed selective antitumor activity and greater antiproliferative activity than its aglycon, and therefore serves as a promising lead candidate for further optimization.