Semi-synthesis and anti-tumor evaluation of novel 25-hydroxyprotopanaxadiol derivatives.

30 novel compounds have been synthesized from 25-hydroxyprotopanaxadiol (25-OH-PPD) and their in vitro anti-tumor activities were tested on three cancer cell lines and one normal cell line (IOSE144) by standard MTT assay. The results showed that compound 27 exhibited the best anti-tumor activity in the in vitro assays. Compounds 1, 2, 16, 17, 18, 27, 28 and 29 have better anti-tumor activities against MCF-7 and A549 cancer cell lines than 25-OH-PPD, together with low toxicity in the normal cell. The results may provide useful data for researching and developing new antitumor agents.