Molecular Interactions of Progesterone Derivatives with 5α-Reductase Types 1 and 2 and Androgen Receptors
March 2010
in “
Steroids
”
TLDR Certain progesterone derivatives can inhibit enzymes and reduce androgenic activity, potentially affecting prostate growth.
The study investigated the molecular interactions of various progesterone derivatives with 5α-reductase types 1 and 2 and androgen receptors. Compounds 4 and 5 inhibited both isozymes, while compound 6 inhibited only type 1. Compounds 7a and 7b, with a chlorine or bromine atom at C-4, inhibited both isozymes, and their esterified forms (8a and 8b) inhibited only type 2. The study found that increased electronegativity in ring A enhanced inhibitory activity for type 1 but not type 2. Compounds 4, 5, 7a, and 7b bound to the androgen receptor, with 5 and 7b reducing prostate and seminal vesicle growth. The study highlighted the potential of these derivatives in modulating androgenic activity, although their IC50 values were higher compared to finasteride.
