Total synthesis, elucidation of absolute stereochemistry, and adjuvant activity of trihydroxy fatty acids

Pinellic acid from the tuber of Pinellia ternate, an active herbal component of the traditional Japanese herbal (Kampo) medicine Sho-seiryu-to, is a C18 trihydroxy fatty acid whose absolute stereochernistry has now been determined. All stereoisomers of pinellic acid were synthesized via regioselective asymmetric dihydroxylation, regioselective inversion, and stereoselective reduction in order to determine their absolute stereochemistries and adjuvant activities. Among this series of isomers, the (9S,12S,13S)-compound, which is a natural product, exhibited the most potent adjuvant activity. Spectral data for all of the stereoisomers of the 1,2-allylic diols were compared and related to their stereochemistries. (c) 2006 Published by Elsevier Ltd.