5α-Reductase inhibition activity of steroids isolated from marine soft corals

The aim of this study is to determine the 5alpha-reductase inhibitory activity of several new steroidal compounds PR-01-PR-07 by measuring the conversion of [H-3]T to [H-3]DHT in Penicillium crustosum broths. These compounds were obtained from marine soft corals collected on the coasts of Andaman and Nicobar at Hori, Natkal and Kalipur (Diglipur) Islands and identified as Sinularia grandilobata Verseveldt, Sinularia crassa Tixier-Durivault, Sinularia gravis Tixier-Durivault, Sinularia sp., Lobophytum sp., Lobophytum crassum and Cladiella sp. PR-01-PR-04 significantly inhibited the conversion of [H-3]T to [H-3]DHT (P < 0.05) whereas PR-05 and PR-06 did not show an appreciable difference (P > 0.05) in this model. On the other hand PR-07 stimulated (P < 0.05) the enzymatic reaction. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.