Five new triterpene saponins from Pulsatilla patens var. multifida

Five new oleanane-type glycosides (1-5), along with two known triterpene saponins, were isolated from the roots of Pulsatilla patens var. multifida (Ranunculaceae). The structures of the new triterpene saponins were elucidated as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1), hederagenin 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)]-beta -D-galactopyranoside (2), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl bayogenin 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta -D-glucopyranosyl ester (3), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta -D-glucopyranosyl ester (4), and 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)][beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)]-beta -D-galactopyranosyl hederagenin 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta -D-glucopyranosyl ester (5). Structure elucidation was accomplished by 1D and 2D NMR (HMQC, HMBC, and ROESY) methods, FABMS, and hydrolysis.     

素馨花三萜皂苷类化学成分研究

目的:研究木犀科茉莉属植物素馨花干燥花蕾的化学成分。方法:通过硅胶柱色谱、Sephadex LH-20柱色谱和重结晶等方法进行分离纯化,根据化合物的理化性质和波谱数据鉴定结构。结果:从素馨花干燥花蕾70%乙醇提取物中分离得到6个三萜皂苷类化合物,分别鉴定为3-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖基(1→2)-β-D-吡喃木糖基常春藤皂苷元-28-O-β-D-吡喃半乳糖基(1→6)-β-D-吡喃半乳糖酯苷(1)、常春藤皂苷元3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖基(1→3)-α-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖苷(2)、2α,3β,23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester(3)、常春藤皂昔元-3-O-β-D-吡喃木糖基(1→3)-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖基(1→2)-α-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖苷(4)、2α,3β,23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester(5)、常春藤皂苷元-3-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖基(1→)2-α-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖苷(6)。结论:化合物1为新化合物,化合物26为首次从茉莉属植物中分离得到。     

Antisweet saponins from Gymnema sylvestre.

Three new oleanane-type triterpene glycosides (1-3), along with the sodium salt of alternoside II (4), were isolated from an ethanol extract of the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre. The structures of these new saponins were identified as 21 beta-O-benzoylsitakisogenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (1), the potassium salt of longispinogenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (2), and the potassium salt of 29-hydroxylongispinogenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside (3). The aglycon of 3, gymnemagenol (3a), was characterized as 3 beta,16 beta,28, 29-tetrahydroxyolean-12-ene. Structure elucidation was accomplished by interpretation of NMR (DQF-COSY, HMQC, and HMBC) results, FABMS, and hydrolysis. Saponin 1 and the sodium salt of alternoside II (4) exhibited antisweet activity.     

Antioxidant flavan-3-ols and flavonol glycosides from Maytenus aquifolium

TLC autographic assay revealed, in the EtOAc extract obtained from leaves and root bark of Maytenus aquifolium (Celastraceae), the presence of fi ve compounds exhibiting antioxidant properties towards beta-carotene. They were isolated and identified as epigallocatechin (1), (+) ouratea-catechin (2), proanthocyanidin (3), kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->6)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (4) and quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->6)-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (5). The isolates were investigated for their redox properties using cyclic voltammetry and for their radical scavenging abilities through spectrophotometric assay on the reduction of 2,2-diphenyl-pycryl hydrazyl (DPPH). These results were correlated to the inhibition of beta-carotene bleaching on TLC autographic assay and to structural features of the flavonoids.     

Antifungal activities and action mechanisms of compounds from Tribulus terrestris L

Antifungal activity of natural products is being studied widely. Saponins are known to be antifungal and antibacterial. We used bioassay-guided fractionation to have isolated eight steroid saponins from Tribulus terrestris L., which were identified as hecogenin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (TTS-8), tigogenin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (TTS-9), hecogenin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (TTS-10), hecogenin-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (TTS-11), tigogenin-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->2)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)]-beta-D-galactopyranoside (TTS-12), 3-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->2)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)]-beta-D-galactopyranosyl]-26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-22-methoxy-(3beta,5alpha,25R)-furostan-3,26-diol (TTS-13), hecogenin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (TTS-14), tigogenin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (TTS-15). The in vitro antifungal activities of the eight saponins against five yeasts, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis and Cryptococcus neoformans were studied using microbroth dilution assay. In vivo activity of TTS-12 in a Candida albicans vaginal infection model was studied in particular. The results showed that TTS-12 and TTS-15 were very effective against several pathogenic candidal species and Cryptococcus neoformans in vitro. It is noteworthy that TTS-12 and TTS-15 were very active against Candida albicans (MIC(80) = 10 and 2.3 microg/mL) and Cryptococcus neoformans (MIC(80) = 1.7 and 6.7 microg/mL). Phase contrast microscopy showed that TTS-12 inhibited hyphal formation, an important virulence factor of Candida albicans, and transmission electron microscopy showed that TTS-12 destroyed the cell membrane of Candida albicans. In conclusion, TTS-12 has significant in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity, weakening the virulence of Candida albicans and killing fungi through destroying the cell membrane.     

Flavonoid glycosides from Rhazya orientalis

Six new flavonoid glycosides, quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (1), quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-(3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (2), isorhamnetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-(4-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (3), isorhamnetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-(3-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), isorhamnetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-(4-O-cis-p-coumaroyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (5), and isorhamnetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->6)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)]-(4-O-trans-feruloyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (6), were isolated from the dried aerial parts of Rhazya orientalis. The structures of 1-6 were determined by spectroscopic and chemical means.     

Junceosides A-C, new triterpene saponins from Arenaria juncea.

Three novel triterpenoid saponins, junceosides A (1), B (2), and C (3), together with two known saponins have been isolated from the roots of Arenaria juncea. Their structures were elucidated using a combination of homo- and heteronuclear 2D NMR techniques (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC) and by FABMS. The new compounds were characterized as 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosylgypsogenin-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-fucopyranoside (1), 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosylgypsogenin-28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-fucopyranoside (2), and 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucuronopyranosylgypsogenin-28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-fucopyranoside (3).     

Saponins of Allium elburzense

A phytochemical investigation of the bulbs of Allium elburzense has been undertaken, leading to the isolation of 13 furostanol and spirostanol saponins, eight of which are new, namely, elburzensosides A1/A2 (1a/1b), B1/B2 (2a/2b), C1/C2 (3a/3b), and D1/D2 (4a/4b). On the basis of spectroscopic analysis, mainly 2D NMR and mass spectrometry, and chemical methods, the structures of the new compounds were determined as furost-2alpha,3beta,5alpha,6beta,22alpha-pentol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1a), furost-2alpha,3beta,5alpha,6beta,22alpha-pentol 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2a), furost-2alpha,3beta,5alpha,22alpha-tetrol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3a), and furost-2alpha,3beta,5alpha,22alpha-tetrol 3-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl] 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4a), and the corresponding epimers at position 22 (1b-4b). Along with these compounds we have isolated the corresponding 22-O-methyl derivatives that we consider extraction artifacts. All the new elburzensosides A1/A2-D1/D2 possess as a common structural feature an OH-5alphathat is rare among furostanol saponins. The reported compounds have been isolated in large amounts, and this makes A. elburzense a prolific producer of saponins of the furostanol and spirostanol types.     

Triterpenoid saponins of Acanthopanax nipponicus leaves

Five new triterpenoid saponins, nipponosides A-E (1, 3-6), were isolated from Acanthopanax nipponicus leaves, along with a known saponin, kalopanaxsaponin G (2). Nipponosides A-E were characterized as the 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->6)-beta -D-glucopyranosyl ester of 3-oxohederagenin, oleanolic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, gypsogenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3beta,23,29-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, and 3beta,20alpha, 23-trihydroxy-30-nor-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, respectively. The structures of these new compounds were based on chemical and spectral methods.     

Cytotoxic steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of Asparagus oligoclonos

Two new steroidal saponins, aspaoligonins A (2) and B (3), were isolated from the methanolic extract of the rhizomes of Asparagus oligoclonos together with a known spirostanol saponin, asparanin A (1). Aspaoligonins A and B were characterized as (25S*)-5beta-spirostan-3beta,17alpha-diol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and (25S*)-5beta-spirostan-3beta,17alpha-diol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyanosyl (1-->4)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively, by spectrometric analyses including HRFABMS and 2D NMR. Compounds 1-3 were cytotoxic against five human tumor cell lines with IC50 values of 2.05-2.84 microg/mL.     

Matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression inhibitory compound from the whole plants of Viola ibukiana Makino

Bioassay-guided fractionation has led to the isolation of two triterpenoid saponins 3-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] oleanolic acid (1), and 3-O-[O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] oleanolic acid (2) from the whole plants of Viola ibukiana Makino. Compound 2 showed matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression inhibition activities in a dose-dependent manner.     

Biologically active triterpene saponins from callus tissue of Polygala amarella.

A new bioactive saponin (1), together with a known saponin (polygalasaponin XXVIII) has been isolated from the callus tissue culture of Polygala amarella. Based on spectroscopic data, especially direct and long-range heteronuclear 2D NMR analysis and on chemical transformations, the structure of 1 was elucidated as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl presenegenin-28-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)]-beta-D-fucopyranoside. Both saponins showed significant immunological properties based on the enhancement of granulocyte phagocytosis in vitro.     

地乌中的三萜皂苷类成分

目的：研究地乌Anemone flaccida中的化学成分。方法：采用硅胶柱色谱、凝胶柱色谱、反相HPLC制备色谱等多种方法分离化合物，采用波谱方法鉴定化合物的结构。结果：从地乌根茎中分离得到12个三萜类化合物，分别为齐墩果酸(1)，齐墩果酸3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→2)-β-D-吡喃木糖苷(2)，五加苷K(3)，齐墩果酸3-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-(1→2)-β-D-吡喃木糖苷(4)，齐墩果酸3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→2)-α-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖苷(5)，齐墩果酸3-O-βD--吡喃葡萄糖醛酸(6)，齐墩果酸3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖醛酸甲酯(7)，齐墩果酸28-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-(1→4)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→6)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(8)，齐墩果酸3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖醛酸28-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-(1→4)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→6)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(9)，齐墩果酸3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖醛酸甲酯28-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-(1→4)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→6)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(10)，齐墩果酸3-O-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→2)-β-D-吡喃木糖28-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-(1→4)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→6)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(11)，齐墩果酸3-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-(1→2)-α-L-吡喃阿拉伯糖28-O-α-L-吡喃鼠李糖-(1→4)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖-(1→6)-β-D-吡喃葡萄糖苷(12)。结论：化合物5～8，10,12为首次从该植物中分离得到；化合物2,5,11对Hela,BEL-7402和HL-60细胞具有细胞毒性。     

Triterpene saponins in the defensive secretion of a chrysomelid beetle, Platyphora ligata

The secretion of the defensive glands of adults of the chrysomelid beetle Platyphora ligata from Panama has been shown to contain, besides chlorogenic acid (1) and a mixture of phosphatidylcholines, two new oleanane triterpene saponins, named ligatosides A and B. Their structures were established as 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-16alpha,23-dihydroxyoleanol ic acid-28-O-2-(3,4-dimethoxybenzoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-16a lpha, 23-dihydroxyoleanolic acid-28-O-2-(3, 4-dimethoxybenzoyl)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), respectively, by a combination of extensive 1D and 2D NMR methods (COSY, HMQC, HMBC, and TOCSY) and FABMS. This is the first report of triterpene saponins in the defensive secretion of an insect.     

Triterpene saponins from Eryngium campestre

Five new triterpene saponins, 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-d-glucuronopyranosyl-22-O-beta,beta-dimethylacryloyl-A1-barrigenol (1), 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-d-glucuronopyranosyl-22-O-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol (2), 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-d-glucuronopyranosyl-21-O-acetyl-22-O-angeloyl-R1-barrigenol (3), 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-d-glucuronopyranosyl-21-O-acetyl-22-O-beta,beta-dimethylacryloyl-R1-barrigenol (4), and 3-O-alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-d-glucuronopyranosyl-22-O-angeloyl-28-O-acetyl-R1-barrigenol (5), were isolated from the roots of Eryngium campestre. Their structures were established mainly by 2D NMR techniques and mass spectrometry. Compounds 1-4 and 3-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-beta-d-glucuronopyranosyl-22-O-beta,beta-dimethylacryloyl-A1-barrigenol, previously isolated from the same plant, showed a weak cytotoxicity when tested against HCT 116 and HT 29 human colon cancer cells.     

Three new triterpene saponins from two species of Carpolobia

Three new acetylated triterpene saponins 1-3 were isolated from the roots of Carpolobia alba and C. lutea. Their structures were established mainly by 2D NMR techniques as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylpresenegenin-28-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-(3,4-di-O-acetyl)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylpresenegenin-28-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-(3,4-di-O-acetyl)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl ester, and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosylpresenegenin-28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->3)]-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-(3,4-di-O-acetyl)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl ester, respectively.     

Bioactive triterpene saponins from the roots of Phytolacca americana

Five new triterpene saponins named phytolaccasaponins N-1 (1), N-2 (2), N-3 (3) N-4 (4), and N-5 (5) were isolated from the roots of Phytolacca americana together with seven known triterpene saponins (6-12). The structures of the five new saponins were established as shown in structures 1-5 on the basis of their spectroscopic data. The MDR-reversal activity of 1-12 was evaluated on the basis of the amount of calcein accumulated in MDR human ovarian cancer 2780 AD cells in the presence of each compound. The most effective compound was 8 (155% of control at 25 microg/mL).     

Triterpenoid saponins from Ilex kudincha.

Ten new triterpene saponins, ilekudinosides A-J (2, 6-8, 10, 13-17), together with seven known triterpene saponins, ilexoside XLVIII (1); cynarasaponin C (5); latifolosides A (9), C (3), G (12), and H (4); and kudinoside G (11), were isolated from an aqueous extract of the leaves of Ilex kudincha. They possessed oleanane- and ursane-type triterpenoids as the aglycons. The structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, including ROE difference, HOHAHA difference, 1H-1H COSY, and 1H-13C COSY (HMQC, HMBC) methods and sugar analysis. Compounds 1 and 5 exhibited acyl CoA cholesteryl acyl transferase (ACAT) inhibitory activity.     

Saponins from the roots of Nylandtia spinosa

From the roots of Nylandtia spinosa, four new triterpene saponins, 3- O-beta- d-glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28- O-beta- d-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha- l-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta- d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta- d-apiofuranosyl-(1-->3)]-alpha- l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta- d-fucopyranosyl ester ( 1), 3- O-beta- d-glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28- O-beta- d-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[alpha- l-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta- d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha- l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta- d-fucopyranosyl ester ( 2), 3- O-beta- d-glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28- O-beta- d-apiofuranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta- d-galactopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta- d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha- l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta- d-fucopyranosyl ester ( 3), and 3- O-beta- d-glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28- O-beta- d-apiofuranosyl-(1-->3)-beta- d-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha- l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta- d-fucopyranosyl ester ( 4), were isolated, together with the known tenuifolin. Their structures were established mainly by 2D NMR techniques and mass spectrometry. Compounds 1- 4 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against HCT 116 and HT-29 human colon cancer cells, but were inactive (IC50 > 5 microg/mL).     

Triterpene saponins and lignans from the roots of Pulsatilla chinensis and their cytotoxic activity against HL-60 cells.

Two new triterpene saponins (8 and 9) and seven previously reported triterpene saponins (1-7) based upon oleanolic acid or hederagenin, along with two known lignans, (+)-pinoresinol (10) and beta-peltatin (11), were isolated from a saponin fraction prepared from the MeOH extract of the roots of Pulsatilla chinensis. The structures of the new saponins were determined by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. The isolated compounds and some derivatives were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HL-60 human leukemia cells.