Core 2 GlcNAc-T inhibitors

1. A method of treatment of a condition associated with raised activity of the enzyme Core 2 GlcNAc-T comprising administration of an effective amount of a compound of the formula IV to a patient in need thereof:

wherein

Z is either a group of the formula VII:

wherein:

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 and R 28 each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 16 is H, or ═O;

R 17 is H or —OH;

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 19 is H, or —CH 3 ;

R 20 is —OH or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R 21 is of the formula VIII;

R 22 is H, —OH, or —OMe;

R 23 is CH 2 H 4 OH, —CH 2 OH, —CH 3 or ═CH 2 ;

R 24 is C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 acyl, or glucose;

R 29 is H or —OH;

R 32 is H or —OH;

R 33 is H; and

Y is O;

or a group of the formula XI:

wherein:

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 and R 28 each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 16 is H, or ═O;

R 17 , R 18 , R 25 , R 29 , R 31 , R 32 , and R 34 are independently selected from H and —OH;

R 19 is H, or —CH 3 ;

R 26 is —CH 2 H 4 OH, —CH 2 OH, —CH 3 or ═CH 2 ;

R 33 is H; and

X is O or NH;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or tautomeric form thereof; and

wherein said condition associated with raised activity of the enzyme Core 2 GlcNAc-T is selected from the group consisting of an inflammatory disease, diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocardial dysfunction, cancer, cancer metastasis and diabetic retinopathy.

2. A method according to claim 1 in which the group of the formula (VII) is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein:

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 20 is —OH or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R 24 is glucose or C 1-6 acyl; and

R 29 is H or —OH.

3. A method according to claim 1 in which the compound of the formula IV is selected from the group consisting of:

trigoneoside IVa which is (3β,25S)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, glycoside F which is (β3)-26-(β3-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β3-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, shatavarin I, compound 3, pardarinoside C.

4. A method according to claim 1 in which the group of the formula XI is selected from the group consisting of:

5. A method according to claim 1 in which the group of the formula XI is selected from the group consisting of diosgenin, yamogenin, tigogenin, neotigogenin, sarsasapogenin, smilagenin, hecogenin, solasodine or tomatidine.

6. A method of claim 1 in which the compound of the formula IV are selected from the group consisting of:

Shatavarin IV which is sarsasapogenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside,

Compound 12 which is solasodine 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside,

Deltonin which is (3β,25R)-spirost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-Glucopyranoside, and

Balanitin VI is (3β,25S)-spirost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-Glucopyranoside.

7. A compound of the formula:

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein, in the group of the formula (VII);

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 , R 16 , R 17 , R 22 , R 28 and R 32 each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 19 is —CH 3 ;

R 20 is —OH or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R 21 is of the formula VIII;

R 23 is —CH 3 or ═CH 2 ;

R 24 is C 1-6 acyl or glucose;

R 29 is H or —OH;

R 33 is H; and

Y is O.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein, in the formula (XI);

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 , R 16 , R 17 , R 25 , R 28 , R 31 , R 32 and R 34 , each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 19 is CH 3 ;

R 26 is —CH 3 or ═CH 2 ;

R 29 is H or —OH;

R 33 is H; and

X is O or NH.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein, in the compound of the formula (IV) is selected from

11. A method of treatment of a condition selected from an inflammatory disease, diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocardial dysfunction, cancer metastasis and diabetic retinopathy, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, a plant extract comprising an effective amount of a compound of the formula (IV), with the proviso that if said plant extract is an extract of fenugreek, then said extract of fenugreek is essentially free of hypoglycemic activity

wherein Z is a group of the formula VII:

wherein:

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 and R 28 each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 16 is H, or ═O;

R 17 is H or —OH;

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 19 is H, or —CH 3 ;

R 20 is —OH or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R 21 is of the formula VIII;

R 22 is H, —OH, or —OMe;

R 23 is CH 2 H 4 OH, —CH 2 OH, —CH 3 or ═CH 2 ;

R 24 is C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 acyl, or glucose;

R 29 is H or —OH;

R 32 is H or —OH;

R 33 is H; and

Y is O;

or Z is a group of the formula XI:

wherein:

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 and R 28 each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 16 is H, or ═O;

R 17 , R 18 , R 25 , R 29 , R 31 , R 32 , and R 34 are independently selected from H and —OH;

R 19 is H, or CH 3 ;

R 26 is CH 2 H 4 OH, —CH 2 OH, —CH 3 or ═CH 2 ;

R 33 is H; and

X is O or NH;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or tautomeric form thereof.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein, in the group of the formula (VII);

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 , R 16 , R 17 , R 22 , R 28 and R 32 each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 19 is CH 3 ;

R 20 is —OH or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R 21 is of the formula VIII;

R 23 is —CH 3 or CH 2 ;

R 24 is C 1-6 acyl or glucose;

R 29 is H or —OH;

R 33 is H; and

Y is O.

13. A method according to claim 11 in which the group of the formula (VII) is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein:

R 16 is H or —OH;

R 20 is —OH or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R 24 is glucose or C 1-6 acyl; and

R 29 is H or —OH.

14. A method according to claim 11 in which the compound of the formula IV is selected from the group consisting of:

Trigoneoside IVa which is (3β,25S)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxy furost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, Glycoside F which is (3β)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, Shatavarin I, Compound 3, Pardarinoside C.

15. A method according to claim 10 in which the compound of the formula IV is selected from the group consisting of

16. A method according to claim 11 wherein, in the formula (XI);

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 , R 16 , R 17 , R 25 , R 28 , R 31 , R 32 and R 34 , each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 19 is —CH 3 ;

R 26 is —CH 3 or CH 2 ;

R 29 is H or —OH;

R 33 is H; and

X is O or NH.

17. A method according to claim 11 in which the group of the formula XI is selected from the group consisting of:

18. A method according to claim 11 in which the group of the formula XI is selected from the group consisting of diosgenin, yamogenin, tigogenin, neotigogenin, sarsasapogenin, smilagenin, hecogenin, solasodine or tomatidine.

19. A method according to claim 11 in which the compound of the formula IV is selected from the group consisting of:

Shatavarin IV which is sarsasapogenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside,

Compound 12 which is solasodine 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside,

Deltonin which is (3β,25R)-spirost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-Gluco-pyranoside, and

Balanitin VI is (3β,25S)-spirost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-Glucopyranoside.

20. A method according to claim 11 wherein said plant extract is a component of a pharmaceutical composition which additionally comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or excipient.

21. An isolated compound of the formula:

22. A method of treatment of a condition selected from an inflammatory disease, diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocardial dysfunction, cancer metastasis and diabetic retinopathy, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, a plant extract comprising an effective amount of a compound of the formula (IV), with the proviso that if said plant extract is an extract of fenugreek, then said extract of fenugreek is essentially free of 4-hydroxyisoleucine

wherein Z is a group of the formula VII:

wherein:

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 and R 28 each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 16 is H, or ═O;

R 17 is H or —OH;

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 19 is H, or —CH 3 ;

R 20 is —OH or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R 21 is of the formula VIII;

R 22 is H, —OH, or —OMe;

R 23 is CH 2 H 4 OH, —CH 2 OH, —CH 3 or CH 2 ;

R 24 is C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 acyl, or glucose;

R 29 is H or —OH;

R 32 is H or —OH;

R 33 is H; and

Y is O;

or Z is a group of the formula XI:

wherein:

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 and R 28 each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 16 is H, or ═O;

R 17 , R 18 , R 25 , R 29 , R 31 , R 32 , and R 34 are independently selected from H and —OH;

R 19 is H, or —CH 3 ;

R 26 is —CH 22 H 4 OH, —CH 2 OH, —CH 3 or ═CH 2 ;

R 33 is H; and

X is O or NH;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or tautomeric form thereof.

23. A method according to claim 22 wherein, in the group of the formula (VII);

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 , R 16 , R 17 , R 22 , R 28 and R 32 each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 19 is CH 3 ;

R 20 is —OH or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R 21 is of the formula VIII;

R 23 is —CH 3 or ═CH 2 ;

R 24 is C 1-6 acyl or glucose;

R 29 is H or —OH;

R 33 is H; and

Y is O.

24. A method according to claim 22 in which the group of the formula (VII) is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein:

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 20 is —OH or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R 24 is glucose or C 1-6 acyl; and

R 29 is H or —OH.

25. A method according to claim 22 in which the compound of the formula IV is selected from the group consisting of:

Trigoneoside IVa which is (3β,25S)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxy furost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside,

Glycoside F which is (3β)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, Shatavarin I, Compound 3, Pardarinoside C.

26. A method according to claim 22 in which the compound of the formula IV is selected from the group consisting of:

27. A method according to claim 22 wherein, in the formula (XI);

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 , R 16 , R 17 , R 25 , R 28 , R 31 , R 32 and R 34 , each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 19 is —CH 3 ;

R 26 is —CH 3 or CH 2 ;

R 29 is H or —OH;

R 33 is H; and

X is O or NH.

28. A method according to claim 22 in which the group of the formula XI is selected from the group consisting of:

29. A method according to claim 22 in which the group of the formula XI is selected from the group consisting of diosgenin, yamogenin, tigogenin, neotigogenin, sarsasapogenin, smilagenin, hecogenin, solasodine or tomatidine.

30. A method according to claim 22 in which the compound of the formula IV is selected from the group consisting of:

Shatavarin IV which is sarsasapogenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside,

Compound 12 which is solasodine 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside,

Deltonin which is (3β,25R)-spirost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-Gluco-pyranoside, and

Balanitin VI is (3β,25S)-spirost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-Glucopyranoside.

31. A method according to either of claim 11 or claim 22 wherein said plant extract is a component of a pharmaceutical composition which additionally comprises a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or excipient.

32. A method of treatment of a condition selected from an inflammatory disease, diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocardial dysfunction, cancer metastasis and diabetic retinopathy, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, an extract of fenugreek, said extract of fenugreek being essentially free of hypoglycemic activity and comprising an effective amount of a compound selected from

33. A method of treatment of a condition selected from an inflammatory disease, diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocardial dysfunction, cancer metastasis and diabetic retinopathy, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, an extract of fenugreek, said extract of fenugreek being essentially free of 4-hydroxyisoleucine and comprising an effective amount of a compound selected from

34. A method according to claim 32 or 33 wherein the extract of fenugreek is an extract of fenugreek seeds.

35. A method of treatment of a condition selected from an inflammatory disease, diabetic cardiomyopathy, myocardial dysfunction, cancer metastasis and diabetic retinopathy, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, a single compound of the formula (IV)

wherein Z is a group of the formula VII:

wherein:

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 and R 28 each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 16 is H, or ═O;

R 17 is H or —OH;

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 19 is H, or —CH 3 ;

R 20 is —OH or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R 21 is of the formula VIII;

R 22 is H, —OH, or —OMe;

R 23 is —CH 2 H 4 OH, —CH 2 OH, —CH 3 or ═CH 2

R 24 is C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 acyl, or glucose;

R 29 is H or —OH;

R 32 is H or —OH;

R 33 is H; and

Y is O

or Z is a group of the formula XI:

wherein:

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 and R 28 each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 16 is H, or ═O;

R 17 , R 18 , R 25 , R 29 , R 31 , R 32 , and R 34 are independently selected from H and —OH;

R 19 is H, or —CH 3 ;

R 26 is —CH 2 H 4 OH, —CH 2 OH, —CH 3 or ═CH 2 ;

R 33 is H; and

X is O or NH;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or tautomeric form thereof.

36. A method according to claim 35 wherein, in the group of the formula (VII);

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 , R 16 , R 17 , R 22 , R 28 and R 32 each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 19 is —CH 3 ;

R 20 is —OH or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R 21 is of the formula VIII;

R 23 is —CH 3 or ═CH 2 ;

R 24 is C 1-6 acyl or glucose;

R 29 is H or —OH;

R 33 is H; and

Y is O,

and in the group of the formula XI;

R 12 , R 13 , R 15 , R 16 , R 17 , R 25 , R 28 , R 31 , R 32 and R 34 , each represent H;

R 14 is H, or R 14 and R 33 taken together represent the second bond of a double bond joining adjacent carbon atoms;

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 19 is —CH 3 ;

R 26 is —CH 3 or ═CH 2 ,

R 29 is H or —OH;

R 33 is H; and

X is O or NH.

37. A method according to claim 35 in which the group of the formula (VII) is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein:

R 18 is H or —OH;

R 20 is —OH or C 1-6 alkoxy;

R 24 is glucose or C 1-6 acyl; and

R 29 is H or —OH;

and the group of the formula XI is selected from the group consisting of

38. A method according to claim 35 comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, a single compound selected from the group consisting of:

Trigoneoside IVa which is (3β,25S)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxy furost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→42)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, Glycoside F which is (3β)-26-(β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-22-hydroxyfurost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, Shatavarin I, Compound 3, Pardarinoside C Shatavarin IV which is sarsasapogenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, Compound 12 which is solasodine 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside, Deltonin which is (3β,25R)-spirost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-Gluco-pyranoside, and Balanitin VI is (3β,25S)-spirost-5-en-3-yl-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-Glucopyranoside.

39. A method according to claim 35 comprising administering to a patient in need thereof, a single compound of the formula IV selected from the group consisting of:

40. A method according to claim 1 , 11 , 22 , 32 , 33 or 35 wherein the compound is administered at a dose of 0.01 to 10 mg per kilogram of body weight of the recipient per day.

41. A method according to claim 1 , 11 , 22 , 32 , 33 or 35 wherein the compound is administered at a dose of 0.2 to 1 mg per kilogram of body weight of the recipient per day.

42. A method according to claim 1 , 11 , 22 , 32 , 33 or 35 comprising administration of a unit dose of between 10 and 1500 mg of the compound to a patient in need thereof.

43. A method according to claim 1 , 11 , 22 , 32 , 33 or 35 comprising administration of a unit dose of between 20 and 1000 mg of the compound to a patient in need thereof.

44. A method according to claim 1 , 11 , 22 , 32 , 33 or 35 comprising administration of a unit dose of between 50 and 700 mg of the compound to a patient in need thereof.

45. A method according to claim 1 , 11 , 22 , 32 , 33 or 35 wherein the compound is administered by the oral route.

46. A method according to claim 1 , 11 , 22 , 32 , 33 or 35 wherein the compound is administered by the parenteral route.

47. A method according to claim 1 , 11 , 22 , 32 , 33 or 35 wherein the compound is administered by the transdermal route.

48. A method according to claim 1 , 11 , 22 , 32 , 33 or 35 wherein the compound is administered by the airway, rectal, vaginal or topical route.

49. A method according to claim 1 , 11 , 22 , 32 , 33 or 35 wherein the inflammatory disease is selected from asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.