Synthesis of Withanolide A, Biological Evaluation of Its Neuritogenic Properties, and Studies on Secretase Inhibition

Neurons on steroids: A stereoselective synthesis of the neuritogenic steroid lactone withanolide A was achieved by singlet oxygen ene reaction, Wharton transposition, a Corey–Seebach homologation, and a vinylogous aldol reaction. Biological evaluation demonstrated neurite outgrowth, which supports the potential neuritogenic role of this compound in traditional Indian medicine. Detailed facts of importance to specialist readers are published as "Supporting Information". Such documents are peer-reviewed, but not copy-edited or typeset. They are made available as submitted by the authors. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.