Synthesis of betulinic acid derivatives with activity against human melanoma

  • Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 1998 Jul 7;8(13):1707-12. doi: 10.1016/s0960-894x(98)00295-9.
D S Kim  1 ,  J M Pezzuto ,  E Pisha
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy (m/c 833), College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago 60612-7231, USA.
PMID: 9873420 DOI: 10.1016/s0960-894x(98)00295-9
Abstract

Betulinic acid has been modified at C-3, C-20, and C-28 positions and the toxicity of the derivatives has been evaluated against cultured human melanoma (MEL-2) and human epidermoid carcinoma of the mouth (KB) cell lines. This preliminary investigation demonstrates that simple modifications of the parent structure of betulinic acid can produce potentially important derivatives, which may be developed as antitumor drugs.