22-Oxocholestane oximes as potential anti-inflammatory drug candidates.

22-Oxocholestanes bearing the oxime functionality in the side chain have been synthesized from diosgenin and evaluated in vivo as anti-inflammatory agents in an acute inflammation mouse ear model, against the commercial glucocorticoid dexamethasone. The final compounds were all regioselectively obtained with an E configuration at the oxime double bond. The title compounds reduced ear-induced inflammation and edema. The most active oximes repressed the expression of proinflammatory genes TNF-α, COX-2, and IL-6; including macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Overall, our data suggest that 22-oxocholestane oximes exert a strong in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.