Synthesis and VEGF inhibitory activity of 16,17-pyrazo-annulated steroids

Eight 16,17-pyrazo-annulated steroidal derivatives were synthesized and evaluated in vitro vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitory activity with 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME) as the reference compound. Most of the compounds showed potent VEGF inhibitory activity with EC50 values of micromolar or submicromolar range. Among them, the compounds 3 and 8 exhibited similar EC50 values and obviously better TI values compared with 2-ME.