Synthesis and proliferative activity of a new derivative of the lupan pentacyclic triterpenoids, viz., the sulfobetaine based on betulin with a 4-(dimethylammonio)butane-1-sulfonate moiety

A new zwitterionic derivative of the lupan pentacyclic triterpenoid series, viz., the sulfobetaine with a 4-(dimethylammonio)butane-1-sulfonate moiety, was synthesized by quaternization of betulin 28-(2-dimethylaminoacetate) with 1,4-butane sultone. The sulfobetaine was found to possess a dose-dependent proliferative effect toward human embrionic kidney cells HEK293 and human T-lymphocytes. Betulin chosen as a comparison compound demonstrated an effect against cells of both the tumor (HepG2, Jurkat) and the normal origin (human HEK293 and T-lymphocytes) which differ from that of the sulfobetaine, inhibiting their proliferation. The new sulfobetaine can prove to be a promising basis for the development of reparative and immunostimulating agents.