Ergosterol and lanosterol derivatives: synthesis and possible biomedical applications

Lanosterol is the crucial intermediate in ergosterol biosynthesis in fungi. A number of derivatives of natural or synthetic origin of these both sterols have been portrayed in this review. For the synthetic derivatives, strategies of their syntheses are presented. Biological activities of lanosterol and ergosterol derivatives include antimicrobial, especially antifungal action, anticancer and antiviral effects but also anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic potential. The most promising seems the anticancer potential of peroxides, epoxides and keto- derivatives of both sterols.