New steroidal dimers with antifungal and antiproliferative activity.

Bile acid-derived novel amphiphilic topology was designed and synthesized in the form of steroidal dimers. These dimers were tested for antifungal and antiproliferative activity in vitro. N(1),N(3)-Diethylenetriaminebis[cholic acid amide] was found to be active against C. albicans, Y. lipolytica, and B. poitrassi at nanomolar concentration and did not show any effect on cell proliferation. N(1),N(2)-Ethylenediaminebis[deoxycholic acid amide] totally inhibited the growth of human oral cancer (HEp-2) and human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells.