Cholesterol-derived novel anti-apoptotic agents on the structural basis of ginsenoside Rk1

Design and synthesis of cholesterol-derived anti-apoptotic agents were described. The synthesized cholesterol analogs designed on the structural basis of ginsenoside Rk1 inhibited the undesirable apoptosis of human endothelial cells, which are induced by a vascular injury. In particular, analogue 1 possessing 4,6-di-O-acetyl-2,3-dideoxyhex-2-enopyran linked to hydroxyl group of cholesterol exhibited the most effective anti-apoptotic activities at both 5 and 10 μg/ml.