Synthesis and anti-HIV activity of dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans

Five optically active dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans were synthesized through a lipase-catalyzed transesterification route, and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against HIV-1 replication in acutely infected H9 cells. Compounds 1 and 2 demonstrated anti-HIV replication activity with an EC50 values of 2.2 and 0.16 μg/ml and a therapeutic index values of 9.1 and 5, respectively. Structure-antiviral activity relationships are discussed.