Synthesis and antitumor activity evaluation of novel oleanolic acid derivatives

Ten novel oleanolic acid (OA) derivatives were synthesized through modifications at positions of A ring and C-28. Inhibitory activities of the oleanolic acid derivatives against SGC7901 and A549 cell lines were evaluated and confirmed by the tetrazolium bromidesalt (MTT) assay. The lab results revealed that all these compounds displayed some antitumor activity against SGC-7901 and A-549 cell lines. Among them, II₄ and II₅ exhibited excellent antitumor activities against SGC7901 cells and A549 cells, compared with gefitinib. Molecular docking studies have shown that compounds II₄ and II₅ produce potent antitumor activities by interacting with C-kit receptor through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic bonds.