The Preparation and Biological Activity of Lactam-Based, Non-Steroidal, Inhibitors of Human Type-1 Steroid 5α-Reductase.

Abstract

A Beckmann rearrangement of cis- and trans-fused 3,4,4a,9,10,10a-hexahydrophenanthren-1(2H)-one oximes has yielded three azepines. An in vitro assay of the azepines and (3aSR,9bSR)-6-methoxy-3-methyl-1,3,3a,4,5,9b-hexahydro-2H-benz[e]indol-2-one, prepared in four steps from naphthalene-1,6-diol, against human type-1 steroid 5α-reductase, revealed the tricyclic five-membered lactam to be a potent inhibitor (IC₅₀ 733 nM).