16α, 17α-epoxypregnenolone-20-oxime inhibits NO and IL-6 production in LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells.

It has previously been reported that 16α, 17α-epoxypregnenolone-20-oxime (EPREGO) exerts an inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression in microglia. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of EPREGO on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced inflammatory response in RAW264.7 macrophage cells, and to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms using western blot analysis, enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assays and fluorescence‑activated cell sorting.

16α,17α-Epoxypregnenolone-20-oxime prevent LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression in BV-2 microglial cells by inhibiting JNK phosphorylation.

The free radical nitric oxide (NO), a main member of neuroinflammatory cytokine and a gaseous molecule produced by activated microglia, has many physiological functions, including neuroinflammation. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of serial 16-dehydropregnenolone-3-acetate derivatives on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in BV-2 microglial cells. Among the six derivatives tested, the increases in NO production and iNOS expression observed in BV-2 microglial cells after LPS stimulation were significantly inhibited by treatment with 16α, 17α-epoxypregnenolone-20-oxime.

[Microbial transformation of 4-ene-3-one steroids by Mucor racemosus].

A steroid-converting fungus isolated from soil samples, was identified as Mucor racemosus according to its morphological characters. The application of M. racemosus for biotransformation of 4-ene-3-one steroids had been investigated to obtain hydroxylated derivatives of 4-ene-3-one steroids.

Syntheses of acetylated steroid glycosides and selective cleavage of O-acetyl groups in sugar moiety.

Acetylated 3beta-O-beta-glycosyl steroid derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of a new polyhydroxysteroid 3beta,5alpha,6beta-trihydroxypregn-16-en-20-one (2) with the peracetylated 1-bromo derivatives of d-glucose and d-galactose, respectively. Subsequent protection by excess acetic anhydride in pyridine selectively gave the 6beta-O-acetylated steroid glycosides. Deprotection of the acetylated steroid glycosides separately with moderate catalysis dibutyltin oxide in methanol selectively removed all acetyl groups of sugar moiety, whereas the acetyl group of the steroid part was retained.