Modifications on the Basic Skeletons of Vinblastine and Vincristine

Abstract

Abstract:The synthetic investigation of biologically active natural compounds serves two main purposes: (i) the total synthesis of alkaloids and their analogues; (ii) modification of the structures for producing more selective, more effective, or less toxic derivatives. In the chemistry of dimeric Vinca alkaloids enormous efforts have been directed towards synthesizing new derivatives of the antitumor agents vinblastine and vincristine so as to obtain novel compounds with improved therapeutic properties.

Cyclopropanation of Some Alkaloids

“…2.3 Vinblastine and vincristine condensed with a cyclopropane ring [50] In the course of the synthetic investigations of dimeric Vinca alkaloids various methods have been elaborated to synthesize new derivatives of vinblastine (6) and vincristine (7) with improved therapeutic effect exhibiting higher selectivity and lower toxicity [43,51].…”

“…These dimeric alkaloids have two monomer alkaloid parts: vindoline (8) and catharanthine (9) (Scheme 3). Although the chemistry and pharmacology of vinblastine and vincristine are well known, and a number of their derivatives were synthesized to improve their therapeutic properties [43], however, vindoline and its derivatives were found to be biologically insignificant,…”

Anticancer Herbs for Improving the Quality of Life

“…Extract from the aged garlic shield the DNA from the damaging effect of carcinogen, enhance the activity of detoxyfing enzymes, and increase the immunity of the body. Study from Dene National Medical centre and Hospital from Japan reveals that the extract of aged garlic can reduce the side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy [24,25]. The compound extracted from the garlic extract is also useful in the treatment of other cancers.…”

Attempted Diels-Alder Reactions on Vindoline Derivatives

“…In the course of the synthetic investigations of dimeric Vinca alkaloids, various methods have been elaborated to synthesize new derivatives of vinblastine (1) and vincristine (2) with improved therapeutic effect exhibiting a higher selectivity and a lower toxicity [3,4].…”

“…1), which comprise the "monomeric" units catharanthine (3) and vindoline (4) were isolated from the Madagascar periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus. These types of compounds have been known as anticancer agents for more than forty years [1,2].…”