Synthesis of Ergosterol and 5,6-Dihydroergosterol Glycosides and Their Inhibitory Activities on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Nitric Oxide Production

We have synthesized several glycosyl ergosterols and 5,6-dihydroergosterols (DHE) and examined their effects on production of nitric oxide (NO) and iNOS protein expression in LPS-treated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Our results showed that DHE derivatives inhibited production of NO and iNOS protein expression more strongly than ergosterol derivative. Especially, DHE-Glc exhibited most potent inhibitory activity without cytotoxicity up to the concentration of 100 mu M.