N-substituted 4-(5-indolyl)benzoic acids. Synthesis and evaluation of steroid 5α-reductase type I and II inhibitory activity

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0960-894X(99)00234-6

The synthesis of N-alkyl and N-arylalkyl substituted 4-(5- indolyl)benzoic acid derivatives as inhibitors of steroid 5α-reductases is described. For the human type II isozyme a benzyl substituent (IC₅₀ 6.20 μM) and for the human type I isozyme a cyclohexanemethyl substituent (IC₅₀ 2.10 μM) on the indole nitrogen proved to be most efficacious, thus providing interesting leads for the development of drugs for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).