Synthesis of celastrol derivatives as potential non‐nucleoside hepatitis B virus inhibitors

Abstract A series of para‐quinone methide ( p QM) moiety and C‐20‐ modified derivatives of celastrol were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory effect on the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg as well as the inhibitory effect against HBV DNA replication. The results suggested that amidation of C‐20 carboxylic group could generate derivatives with good anti‐HBV profile, among them compound 14 showed the best inhibitory activity on the secretion of HBsAg (IC 50 = 11.9 µ μ ) and HBeAg (IC 50 = 13.1 µ μ ) with SI of 3.3 and 3.0, respectively. In addition, 14 also showed potent inhibitory effect against HBV DNA replication (48.5 ± 15.1%, 25 µM). This is, to our knowledge, the first report of celastrol derivatives as potential non‐nucleoside HBV inhibitors.