Concise Synthesis and Antidiabetic Effect of Three Natural Triterpenoid Saponins Isolated from Fadogia ancylantha (Makoni tea)

The first concise synthesis of the bidesmosidic oleanolic acid saponins 1 – 3 isolated from Fadogia ancylantha (Makoni tea) have been accomplished through a ‘one‐pot sequential glycosylation’ strategy with two glycosyl 1‐(trichloroacetimidate)s as glycosyl donors. The synthesized natural products 1 – 3 were then evaluated for their inhibitory activities against α‐glucosidase, α‐amylase, and lipase. Among the assayed compounds 1 – 3 , compound 1 showed strong α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase inhibition, with IC₅₀ values of 160 and 180 μM , respectively. Moreover, compounds 2 and 3 showed strong inhibition against α‐glucosidase and lipase, with the respective IC₅₀ values of 170 and 190 μM , and 190 and 200 μM .     

Xanthones with α‐Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities from Aspergillus versicolor,a Fungal Endophyte of Huperzia serrata

Three new xanthones, namely huperxanthones A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), were obtained from the cultures of Aspergillus versicolor, a fungal endophyte of Huperzia serrata, together with 1,7‐dihydroxy‐8‐(methoxycarbonyl)xanthone‐3‐carboxylic acid ( 4 ), β‐diversonolic acid methyl ester ( 5 ), 4‐hydroxyvertixanthone ( 6 ), and sydowinin B ( 7 ). The structures of the new compounds were established by detailed NMR and MS analysis, especially by 2D‐NMR experiments. All xanthones were evaluated for their effects on α‐glucosidase. Compound 4 exhibited a potent inhibitory activity against α‐glucosidase with an IC₅₀ value of 0.24 mM (vs. 0.38 mM for acarbose). The rest of the compounds showed weak or no activity against α‐glucosidase.     

Bidesmosidic Oleanane Saponins from Xerospermum noronhianum

Three new oleanane‐type triterpenoid saponins, 3‐O‐(α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl)‐28‐O‐{[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)] [β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl(1→6)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl} oleanolic acid ( 1 ), 3‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→3)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl]‐28‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl] oleanolic acid ( 2 ), and 3‐O‐{α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)‐[3′,4′‐diacetoxy‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl]}‐28‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl] oleanolic acid ( 3 ) have been isolated from the stems of Xerospermum noronhianum. The structures of the saponins were determined as a series of bidesmosidic oleanane saponins based on spectral evidence. The anticholinesterase activity of the saponins 1 – 3 was also evaluated.     

Acylated Triterpene Saponins from Atroxima liberica Stapf

The four new acylated triterpene saponins 1 – 4 , isolated as two pairs of isomers and named libericosides A₁/A₂ and B₁/B₂, one pair of isomers 5 / 6 , the (Z)‐isomer libericoside C₂ ( 5 ) being new, one new sucrose ester, atroximoside ( 7 ), and eight known compounds were isolated from the roots of Atroxima liberica by repeated MPLC and VLC on normal and reversed‐phase silica gel. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR studies (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, DEPT, COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC) and mass spectrometry as 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐4‐O‐[(E)‐3,4‐dimethoxycinnamoyl]‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 1 ) and its (Z)‐isomer 2 , 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐[(E)‐3,4‐dimethoxycinnamoyl]‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 3 ) and its (Z)‐isomer 4 , 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐[(Z)‐3,4‐dimethoxycinnamoyl]‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 5 ), and 3‐O‐[(Z)‐feruloyl]‐β‐D ‐fructofuranosyl α‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 7 ). Compounds 1 – 6 and the known saponins 8 / 9 were evaluated against the human colon cancer cells HCT 116 and HT‐29 and showed moderate to weak cytotoxicity.     

Oleanane Saponins from Rhizome of Anemone raddeana

Two new oleanolic acid‐type triterpenoid saponins, raddeanosides R₂₂ and R₂₃ ( 1 and 2 , resp.), together with four known saponins were isolated from the rhizome of Anemone raddeana Regel. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as oleanolic acid 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl(1→2)[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl(1→4)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 1 ) and oleanolic acid 3‐O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl(1→3)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl(1→4)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 2 ). The four known compounds were identified as oleanolic acid 3‐O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 3 ), oleanolic acid 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl(1→4)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 4 ), hederasaponin B ( 5 ), and hederacholchiside E ( 6 ) on the basis of chemical and spectral evidences. Compound 4 is reported for the first time from the Anemone genus, while the other three known compounds have been already found in this plant.     

Flavonol Glycosides with α‐Glucosidase Inhibitory Activities and New Flavone C‐Diosides from the Leaves of Machilus konishii

Seventeen flavonoids, five of which are flavone C‐diosides, 1 – 5 , were isolated from the BuOH‐ and AcOEt‐soluble fractions of the leaf extract of Machilus konishii. Among 1 – 5 , apigenin 6‐C‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐2″‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), apigenin 8‐C‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐2″‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 4 ), and apigenin 8‐C‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐2″‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 5 ) are new. Both 4 and 5 are present as rotamer pairs. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of NMR‐spectroscopic analyses and MS data. In addition, the ¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR data of apigenin 6‐C‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐2″‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ) were assigned for the first time. The isolated compounds were assayed against α‐glucosidase (type IV from Bacillus stearothermophilus). Kaempferol 3‐O‐(2‐β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranoside ( 12 ) was found to possess the best inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 29.3 μM .     

Three New Benzophenone Glucosides from the Leaves of Planchonella obovata

Chemical investigation of the EtOH extract of the leaves of Planchonella obovata resulted in the isolation of four benzophenone glucosides, 1 – 4 , of which three, 2 – 4 , are new chemical entities together with five known flavonol glycosides. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. Among the isolated compounds, iriflophenone 2‐O‐(2,6‐di‐O‐galloyl)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 4 ) showed some activity (91.4 and 15.0% inhibition at 100 and 10 μg/ml, resp.) against the α‐glucosidase of Bacillus stearothermophilus.     

A Hydroxylated Lupeol‐Based Triterpenoid Ester Isolated from the Scurrula parasitica Parasitic on Nerium indicum

(3β,7β)‐7‐Hydroxylup‐20(29)‐en‐3‐yl hexadecanoate ( 1 ), a new lupeol‐based triterpenoid ester, along with sixteen known compounds, 7β,15α‐dihydroxylup‐20(29)‐ene‐3β‐O‐palmitate ( 2 ), lupeol palmitate ( 3 ), lupeol ( 4 ), 3‐oxolup‐20(29)‐ene ( 5 ), ursolic acid ( 6 ), cycloeucalenol ( 7 ), stigmasterol ( 8 ), β‐sitosterol ( 9 ), β‐daucosterol ( 10 ), quercetin ( 11 ), quercetin 3‐O‐α‐L ‐arabinoside ( 12 ), quercetin 3‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnoside ( 13 ), catechin ( 14 ), gitoxigenin 3‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnoside ( 15 ), gitoxigenin 3‐O‐α‐D ‐glucoside ( 16 ), and digitoxigenin 3‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnoside ( 17 ), was isolated from the leaves of the Southern China mistletoe, Scurrula parasitica Linn parasitic on Nerium indicum Mill . Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 2D‐NMR techniques. Cytotoxic activities of compounds 1 – 7 and 11 – 17 were evaluated against three cancer cell lines, PANC‐1, HL‐60, and SGC‐7901, revealing that compounds 4, 6, 11 , and 15 – 17 exhibited effective cytotoxicities, while others were inactive. A structure? activity relationship study of compounds 1 – 5 indicated that the 3‐OH group in lupeol‐based triterpenoids is essential for antitumor activity.     

Two New Cytotoxic Spirostane‐Steroidal Saponins from the Roots of Bletilla striata

Two new spirostane‐steroidal saponins, bletilnoside A ( 1 ) and bletilnoside B ( 2 ), together with five known compounds, 3 – 7 , were isolated from the roots of Bletilla striata (Thunb .) Reichb . F. The structures of the new compounds were determined based on their 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectral data. The isolated compounds 1 – 7 were tested for cytotoxicity against four human tumor cells (A549, SK‐OV‐3, SK‐MEL‐2, and HCT15) in vitro using a sulforhodamin B bioassay, and compounds 1, 2 , and 5 showed significant cytotoxicities against all tested tumor cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 3.98±0.16 to 12.10±0.40 μM .     

New Dammarane‐Type Saponins from the Rhizomes of Panax japonicus

Phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Panax japonicus C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) resulted in the isolation of two new dammarane‐type triterpenoid saponins, yesanchinoside R₁ ( 1 ) and yesanchinoside R₂ ( 2 ), together with one new natural product, 6′′′‐O‐acetylginsenoside Re ( 3 ). In addition, 25 known compounds, including 23 triterpenoid saponins, 4 – 26 , β‐sitosterol 3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 27 ), and ecdysterone ( 28 ), were also identified. The known saponins 12, 15 , and 18 – 22 were reported for the first time from the title plant. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques, as well as acidic hydrolysis.     

Lycopodium Alkaloids from Huperzia serrata

Three new lycopodium alkaloids, huperserramines A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), along with 15 known ones, lycopodine‐6α,11α‐diol ( 4 ), lycoposerramine H ( 5 ), lycoposerramine I ( 6 ), lycopodine‐6α‐ol ( 7 ), lycoposerramine M ( 8 ), diphaladine A ( 9 ), lycoposerramine K ( 10 ), lycoposerramine W ( 11 ), huperzine M ( 12 ), luciduline ( 13 ), phlegmariuine N ( 14 ), huperzine A ( 15 ), huperzine B ( 16 ), lycodine ( 17 ), and lycoposerramine R ( 18 ), were isolated from the whole plant of Huperzia serrata. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR and MS analyses. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and α‐glucosidase. As a result, lycopodine‐6α,11α‐diol ( 4 ) exhibited more potent α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 148±5.5 μM ) than the positive control acarbose (IC₅₀ 376.3±2.7 μM ).     

New saponins from Sechium mexicanum

The chemical study of Sechium mexicanum roots led to the isolation of the two new saponins {3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl (1 → 3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐2β,3β,16α,23‐tetrahydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside} (1) and {3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl (1 → 3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐2β,3β,16α,23‐tetrahydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐[β‐D ‐apiosyl‐(1 → 3)]‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside} (2), together with the known compounds {3‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐2β,3β,6β,16α,23‐pentahydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside} (3), tacacosides A₁ (4) and B₃ (5). The structures of saponins 1 and 2 were elucidated using a combination of ¹H and ¹³C 1D‐NMR, COSY, TOCSY, gHMBC and gHSQC 2D‐NMR, and FABMS of the natural compounds and their peracetylated derivates, as well as by chemical degradation. Compounds 1–3 are the first examples of saponins containing polygalacic and 16‐hydroxyprotobasic acids found in the genus Sechium, while 4 and 5, which had been characterized partially by NMR, are now characterized in detail. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New α‐Tetralone Galloylglucosides from the Fresh Pericarps of Juglans sigillata

Three new α‐tetralone galloylglucosides, 1 – 3 , were isolated from the fresh pericarps of Juglans sigillata (Juglandaceae), together with six known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined as 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐7‐hydroxy‐4‐oxonaphthalen‐1‐yl 6‐O‐[(3,4,5‐trihydroxyphenyl)carbonyl]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), (1S)‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐8‐hydroxy‐4‐oxonaphthalen‐1‐yl 6‐O‐[(3,4,5‐trihydroxyphenyl)carbonyl]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), and 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐7,8‐dihydroxy‐4‐oxonaphthalen‐1‐yl 6‐O‐[(3,4,5‐trihydroxyphenyl)carbonyl]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), respectively, on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analyses, and acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis. The antimicrobial activities of the isolated compounds 2, 4 , and 7 – 9 were evaluated.     

Contortisiliosides A–G: Isolation of Seven New Triterpene Bisdesmosides from Enterolobium contortisiliquum and Their Cytotoxic Activity

Seven new bisdesmosidic triterpene saponins, with up to eight monosaccharides, which were given the trivial names contortisiliosides A–G ( 1 – 7 ), were isolated from Enterolobium contortisiliquum. The structures of the new saponins were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic and chromatographic analyses of both intact and acid‐hydrolyzed compounds. The isolated saponins were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against BAC1.2F5 mouse macrophages, EL‐4 mouse lymphoma cells, and L‐929 mouse fibroblasts. Whereas contortisiliosides A ( 1 ) and C ( 3 ) were moderately cytotoxic to both BAC1.2F5 macrophages and EL‐4 cells, and contortisiliosides D–G ( 4 – 7 ) did not show any apparent cytotoxic activities against the three cell lines, contortisilioside B ( 2 ) exhibited selective cytotoxic activity against BAC1.2F5 mouse macrophages, with an IC₅₀ value of 3.4 μM . The macrophage death caused by 2 was shown to be neither necrotic nor apoptosis‐inducing based on the unique morphological change of the killed cells, whose cytosols were transformed into large vacuoles, and according to the TUNEL assay.     

Two New Steroidal Saponins from the Processed Polygonatum kingianum

Two new spirostanol saponins, kingianoside I ( 1 ) and kingianoside K ( 2 ), corresponding to (3β,23S,25R)‐23‐hydroxy‐12‐oxospirost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 4‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 1 ) and (3β,25R)‐7‐oxospirost‐5‐en‐3‐yl α‐L ‐arabinofuranosyl‐(1→4)‐[6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), along with 13 known compounds, daucosterol, (25R)‐kingianoside G, (25RS)‐kingianoside A, pratioside D₁, (25RS)‐pratioside D₁, (25S)‐kingianoside C, kingianoside C, ginsenoside Rb₁, saponins Tb and Pb, dioscin, gracillin, and saponin Pa, were isolated from the processed rhizomes of Polygonatum kingianum. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses, including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques, and chemical methods. Compound 2 contains a novel unusual spirostanol saponin aglycone. Ginsenoside Rb₁ and saponin Tb were isolated for the first time from the genus Polygonatum. The 13 known compounds were detected for the first time in the processed Polygonatum kingianum.     

New Acylated Preatroxigenin Saponins from Atroxima congolana

Eight new acylated preatroxigenin saponins 1 – 8 were isolated as four inseparable mixtures of the trans‐ and cis‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl derivatives, atroximasaponins A₁/A₂ ( 1 / 2 ), B₁/B₂ ( 3 / 4 ), C₁/C₂ ( 5 / 6 ) and D₁/D₂ ( 7 / 8 ) from the roots of Atroxima congolana. These compounds are the first examples of triterpene saponins containing preatroxigenin (=(2β,3β,4α,22β)‐2,3,22,27‐tetrahydroxyolean‐12‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid as aglycone. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR studies and FAB‐MS as 3‐O(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)preatroxigenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐(trans‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranoyl} ester ( 1 ) and its cis‐isomer 2 , 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)preatroxigenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→ 2)‐O‐[O‐6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐(trans‐ 4‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 3 ) and its cis‐isomer 4 , 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)preatroxigenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[O‐6‐ O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐(trans‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranoyl} ester ( 5 ) and its cis‐isomer 6 , 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)preatroxigenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐(trans‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl ester ( 7 ) and its cis‐isomer 8 .     

Unusual Nortriterpenoid Saponins from Stauntonia chinensis

Four new saponins, yemuosides YM₁₇–YM₂₀ ( 1 – 4 , resp.), were isolated from the rattan of Stauntonia chinensis DC. (Lardizabalaceae) along with a known saponin, nipponoside D ( 5 ). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence as 20,30‐dihydroxy‐29‐noroleanolic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester ( 1 ), 20,29‐dihydroxy‐30‐noroleanolic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester ( 2 ), 29‐hydroxy‐30‐norolean‐20(21)‐enolic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester ( 3 ), 29‐hydroxyoleanolic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester ( 4 ), and 23,29‐dihydroxyoleanolic acid 28‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl ester ( 5 ). Yemuoside YM₁₇–YM₁₉ ( 1 – 3 , resp.) contain novel unusual nortriterpene aglycones.     

Three New Triterpene Saponins from Gynostemma pentaphyllum

Three new dammarane‐type triterpene saponins, 1 – 3 , together with three known compounds, 4 – 6 , were isolated from the aerial parts of Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino . By means of chemical and spectroscopic methods, their structures were established as (20S)‐3β,20,21‐trihydroxydammara‐23,25‐diene 3‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)] [β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐21‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), (20R,23R)‐3β,20‐dihydroxy‐19‐oxodammar‐24‐en‐21‐oic acid 21,23‐lactone 3‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)] [β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 2 ), and (21S,23S)‐3β,20ξ,21,26‐tetrahydroxy‐19‐oxo‐21,23‐epoxydammar‐24‐ene 3‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)] [β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 3 ).     

Three New Triterpene Saponins from Hemsleya chinensis

Three new triterpenoid saponins, xuedanglycosides A–C ( 1 – 3 , resp.), along with six known ones, were isolated from the rhizomes of Hemsleya chinensis. By detailed analysis of the NMR spectra, by chemical methods, and by comparison with spectral data of known compounds, the structures of new compounds were determined to be 16α,23α‐epoxy‐2β,3α,20β‐trihydroxy‐10α,23α‐cucurbita‐5,24‐dien‐11‐on‐2‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), 2β,3α,16α,20β‐tetrahydroxycucurbita‐5,25‐diene‐11,22‐dion‐2‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), and oleanolic acid 28‐O‐β‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐O‐β‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ). In addition, hemslecin A 2‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 6 ), hemsamabilinin B ( 7 ), and hemslonin A ( 9 ) were obtained for the first time from this plant.     

Cytotoxic Diterpenoids from the Stem Bark of Annona squamosa L.

Three new ent‐kaurane diterpenoids, (4α)‐19‐nor‐ent‐kaurane‐4,16,17‐triol ( 1 ), (4α,16α)‐17‐(acetyloxy)‐19‐nor‐ent‐kaurane‐4,16‐diol ( 2 ), and 17‐hydroxy‐ent‐kaur‐15‐en‐19‐al ( 3 ), together with 11 known compounds, were isolated from the stem bark of Annona squamosa L. The structures of 1 – 3 were identified by analysis of their spectroscopic data. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against human lung cancer (95‐D) and ovarian cancer (A2780) cell lines, and compounds 3, 5, 7, 11 – 14 exhibited promising antiproliferative activities with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.38 to 34.66 μM .