Phytopharm Plc

Philip James Gunning

Brian Anthony Whittle

Jonathan Brostoff

Ian Duncan Rubin

Yaer Hu

Zongqin Xia

Weijun Wang

Peter David Tiffin

A method to stereospecifically prepare a steroidal sapogenin or a derivative thereof by reducing a 3-keto,5&#x3b2;-H steroidal sapogenin with a hindered organoborane or an organo-aluminium hydride. A 3&#x3b2;-hydroxy,5&#x3b2;-H steroidal sapogenin or derivative thereof may be prepared by reducing the 3-keto,5&#x3b2;-H steroidal sapogenin using as reducing agent a relatively highly hindered organoborane reagent or by SN 2 inversion of a 3&#x3b1;-hydroxy,5&#x3b2;-H steroidal sapogenin or derivative thereof. The organo-aluminium hydride may be used to prepare a 3&#x3b1;,5&#x3b2;-H steroidal sapogenin or derivative thereof. The invention provides a convenient route to useful steroidal sapogenins such as sarsasapogenin, episarsasapogenin, smilagenin, epismilagenin and esters thereof, from readily available or easily preparable starting materials (e.g. diosgenone, preparable from diosgenin).

Stereospecific reduction of sapogen-3-ones

The invention discloses the use of a smilagenin in the treatment of cognitive dysfunction and similar conditions. Methods of treatment, and pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

Smilagenin and its use

The invention discloses the use of a smilagenin in the treatment of cognitive disfunction and similar conditions. Methods of treatment, and pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed.

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Godmanchester, United Kingdom

Philip James Gunning