Glomerella fusarioides-catalyzed structural transformation of steroidal drugs mesterolone and methasterone, and anti-inflammatory activity of resulting derivatives.

Transformation of steroidal drug mesterolone (1) with Glomerella fusarioides yielded two new (17α-hydroxy-1α-methyl-5α-androstan-3-one-11α-yl acetate (2) and 15α-hydroxy-1-methyl-5α-androstan-1-en-3,17-dione (3)), and four known derivatives (15α,17β-dihydroxy-1α-methyl-5α-androstan-3-one (4), 15α-hydroxy-1α-methyl-5α-androstan-3,17-dione (5), 1α-methyl-androsta-4-en-3,17-dione (6) and 15α,17β-dihydroxy-1-methyl-5α-androstan-1-en-3-one (7). Similarly, G. fusarioides-catalyzed transformation of steroidal drug methasterone (8) afforded four new metabolites, 11α,17β-dihydroxy-2,17α-dimethylandrosta-1,4-diene-3-one (9), 3a,11α,17β-trihydroxy-2α,17α-dimethyl-5α-androstane (10), 1β,3β,17β-trihydroxy-2α,17α-dimethyl-5α-androstane (11), and 11α,17β-dihydroxy-2,17α-dimethylandrosta-1,4-diene-3-one (12). Structures of new derivatives were determined by using 1D-, and 2D-NMR, HREI-MS, and IR spectroscopic data. New derivative 3 was identified as a potent inhibitor of NȮ production with the IC value of 29.9 ± 1.8 μM, in comparison to the standard l-NMMA (IC = 128.2 ± 0.8 µM) in vitro. In addition, methasterone (8) (IC = 83.6 ± 0.22 µM) also showed a significant activity comparable to new derivative 12 (IC = 89.8 ± 1.2 µM). New derivatives 2 (IC = 102.7 ± 0.5 µM), 9 (IC = 99.6 ± 5.7 µM), 10 (IC = 123.5 ± 5.7 µM), and 11 (IC = 170.5 ± 5.0 µM) showed a moderate activity. N-MonomethylL-arginine acetate (IC = 128.2 ± 0.8 µM) was used as standared NO- free radicals have an important role in the regulation of immune responses and cellular events. Their overproduction is associated with the pathogenesis of numerous ailments, such as Alzheimer's cardiac disorders, cancer, diabetes, and degenerative diseases. Therefore, inhibition of NȮ production can help in the treatment of chronic inflammation and associated disorders. All derivatives were found to be non-cytotoxic to human fibroblast (BJ) cell line. The results presented here form the basis of further research for the development of new anti-inflammatory agents with improved efficacy through biotransformation approaches.