Conformationally restrained ceramide analogues: effects of lipophilic modifications on the antiproliferative activity

Farmaco. 2003 Jan;58(1):85-9. doi: 10.1016/S0014-827X(02)00002-2.

Abstract

Conformationally restrained analogues of ceramide containing thiouracil or uracil moieties in their polar head, substituted with an ethyl group in their 6-positions, proved to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. A series of new thiouracil and uracil analogues of ceramide possessing several 6-alkyl- or 6-arylalkyl-substituents, were synthesized and tested as inhibitors of cell proliferation. The lipophilic substituents introduced in the 6-position were pure alkyls (n-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, neo-pentyl), or aryl-alkyls (2-phenylethyl). Although a significant antiproliferative activity was maintained in most compounds synthesized, none of them showed any improvement with respect to their 6-ethyl-substituted counterparts.

MeSH terms

  • Carbohydrate Conformation
  • Ceramides / chemistry*
  • Ceramides / pharmacology*
  • Growth Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Growth Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Lipids / pharmacology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / drug effects

Substances

  • Ceramides
  • Growth Inhibitors
  • Lipids