Synthesis of betulinic acid acyl glucuronide for application in anticancer prodrug monotherapy

The synthesis of 28-O-β-d-glucuronide betulinic acid, an acyl glucuronide derivative, was successfully carried out for the first time using commercially available peracetylated methyl glucuronate bromide under phase-transfer conditions. The target compound could be used in an anticancer prodrug monotherapy (PMT) strategy since it is non-cytotoxic, non-haemolytic, more water soluble than betulinic acid, it possesses a good in vitro stability in phosphate buffer and can be hydrolyzed in the presence of β-d-glucuronidase releasing in vitro betulinic acid, a promising anticancer agent.