The present invention is a method for synthesizing furanosteroids. The method involves intramolecular Diels-Alder/retro-Diels-Alder reaction and tautomerization of a functionalized alkyne oxazole to produce a furo[2,3-b]phenol derivative which is elaborated by intermolecular and intramolecular condensations to generate ring-A of the furanosteroid. Furanosteroids and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same are also provided.