Synthesis of ginseng diyne analogues and their antiproliferative activity against L1210 cells

Some analogues of Ginseng diyne were synthesized and tested for antiproliferative activity against L1210 cells. The epoxy moiety of panaxydol, isolated from the root of Panax ginseng, proved to be in the cis-form on comparison with synthetic specimens. Analysis of structure-activity relationship revealed that the presence of the heptadec-1-ene-4,6-diyn-3-ol moiety in the structure of the analogues was essential for their antiproliferative activity and that the epoxy and alkyl groups in the structure contributed to enhancement of the antiproliferative activity.