Mecigestone

Mecigestone is a synthetic, steroidal progestin that was never marketed. It is a progestogen and hence is a agonist of the progesterone receptor, the biological target of progestogens like progesterone. Mecigestone has strong progestogenic activity and weak glucocorticoid and antimineralocorticoid activity.

Chemistry

Mecigestone, also known as 6-methyl-16-methylene-17α-acetoxyprogesterone or as 6-methyl-16-methylene-17α-acetoxypregn-4-ene-3,20-dione, is a synthetic pregnane steroid and a derivative of progesterone. It is specifically a derivative of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone and is a member of the gestodene and nomegestrol acetate subgroup of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone derivatives, which also includes delmadinone acetate, promegestone, and trimegestone.

Pharmacology

As a progestin, mecigestone has progestogenic activity. It also has weak glucocorticoid and antimineralocorticoid activity. The drug has no androgenic, estrogenic, or antiestrogenic activity.

History

Mecigestone was first described in the literature in 1971. It was developed by the French pharmaceutical company Roussel Uclaf, but was never marketed.

See also

• List of progestogens
• List of steroidal antiandrogens