Design, Synthesis, and Cytotoxicity of Semisynthetic Betulinic Acid-1,2,4-Oxadiazole Amide Derivatives

Abstract

Biological activity of betulinic acid derivatives containing a 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring prompted us to synthesize betulinic acid-1,2,4-oxadiazole amide derivatives 14–25 starting with the amide coupling reaction of betulinic acid 1 and (3-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)methanamines 2–13. The products were tested for cytotoxicity on three human cancer cell lines in vitro. All tested compounds demonstrated high activity. The structures of the synthesized compounds were elucidated from IR, NMR and mass spectra.