Cytotoxicity of triterpenes isolated from Aceriphyllum rossii

Bioassay-guided fractionation of a MeOH extract of the whole plant of Aceriphyllum rossii (Saxifragaceae) led to the isolation of two new triterpenes, 3alpha,23-isopropylidenedioxyolean-12-en-27-oic acid (1) and 23-hydroxy-3-oxoolean-12-en-27-oic acid (2), together with six known triterpenes, 3-oxoolean-12-en-27-oic acid (3), 3alpha-hydroxyolean-12-en-27-oic acid (4), beta-peltoboykinolic acid (5), aceriphyllic acid A (6), oleanolic acid (7), and gypsogenic acid (8). The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical and spectroscopic analyses. These compounds were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity against the K562 and HL-60 cell lines. Olean-12-en-27-oic acid derivatives (1-6) exhibited considerable cytotoxicity against K562 and HL-60 cell lines with IC(50) values ranging from 12.2 to 28.7 microM and from 12.1 to 25.8 microM, respectively.     

New triterpene glucosides from the roots of Rosa laevigata Michx

Two new ursane-type triterpene glucosides, 2alpha,3alpha,24-trihydroxyurs-12,18-dien-28-oic acid beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1) and 2alpha,3alpha,23-trihydroxyurs-12,19(29)-dien-28-oic acid beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), were isolated from the roots of Rosa laevigata, together with three known compounds: 2alpha,3beta,19alpha-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid beta-Dglucopyranosyl ester (3), 2alpha,3alpha,19alpha-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (4) and 2alpha,3beta,19alpha,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (5). The structures of new compounds were established on the basis of detailed 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 2 and 5 exhibited modest in vitro antifungal activities against Candida albicans and C. krusei.     

Emodinol,beta-glucuronidase inhibiting triterpene from Paeonia emodi

Emodinol, a new oleane type triterpene, has been isolated from the chloroform soluble fraction of Paeonia emodi. The structure 1beta, 3beta, 23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 1 has been assigned on the basis of spectral studies including 2D NMR. It showed significant beta-glucuronidase inhibitory activity. In addition benzoic acid and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid have also been reported for the first time from this species.     

A new triterpene from the plant of uncaria macrophylla

Our ongoing investigations on the stem bark of Uncaria macrophylla afforded a new ursolic triterpene, 3β,6β,19α-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid-24-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1), named uncariursanic acid, and three known ursolic triterpenes including 3β,6β,19α-trihydroxy-23-oxo-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), 3β,6β,19α-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid (3) and ursolic acid (4). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectral methods, including 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS. The cytotoxicities of the four compounds were evaluated against two cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and HepG2) by the MTT method, and only compound 4 exhibited potent activity.     

Triterpenoids from Eugenia grandis: structure elucidation by NMR spectroscopy

A new pentacyclic triterpenoid, 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxylup-12-en-28-oic acid (1) and a rarely encountered pentacyclic triterpenoid, 3beta-hydroxylup-12-en-28-oic acid (2), together with five known compounds, friedelin (3), 3beta-friedelinol (4), betulinic acid (5), oleanolic acid (6) and beta-sitosterol (7) were isolated from the chloroform extract of stem bark of Eugenia grandis (Syn: Syzygium grande). The structure and stereochemistry of the new compound (1) and the rarely encountered compound (2) were established by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. All the above isolated compounds from this plant are reported for the first time.     

Microbial transformation of oleanolic acid by Fusarium lini and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity of its transformed products

The biotransformation of a pentacyclic triterpene, oleanolic acid (1), with Fusarium lini afforded two oxidative metabolites, 2alpha,3beta-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (2), and 2alpha,3beta,11beta-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (3). Metabolite 3 was found to be a new compound. The structures were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic studies. These metabolites exhibited a potent inhibition of alpha-glucosidase enzyme.     

Cytotoxic diterpenoids from Vietnamese medicinal plant Croton tonkinensis GAGNEP

Six new ent-kaurane-type diterpenoids were isolated from the leaves of the endemic Vietnamese medicinal plant Croton tonkinensis GAGNEP. (Euphorbiaceae) together with three known ent-11alpha-acetoxy-7beta,14alpha-dihydroxykaur-16-en-15-one (1), ent-kaur-16-en-15-one 18-oic acid (5) and ent-18-hydroxykaur-16-ene (7). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analyses to be ent-7beta-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroxykaur-16-en-15-one (2), ent-18-acetoxy-11alpha-hydroxykaur-16-en-15-one (3), ent-11alpha-acetoxykaur-16-en-18-oic acid (4), ent-15alpha,18-dihydroxykaur-16-ene (6), ent-11alpha,18-diacetoxy-7beta-hydroxykaur-16-en-15-one (8), and ent-(16S)-1alpha,14alpha-diacetoxy-7beta-hydroxy-17-methoxykauran-15-one (14). ent-Kaurane-type diterpenoids from Croton tonkinensis 2-4, 6, and 9-13, were tested for toxicity in the brine shrimp lethality assay. Compounds 9, 10, and 12 demonstrated significant activity, compounds 2, 3, 6, and 11 showed weak activity, and compounds 4 and 13 were inactive.     

Triterpene glycosides from the stems of Akebia quinata

The stems of Akebia quinata have been analyzed for their triterpene glycoside constituents, resulting in the isolation of six new triterpene glycosides, along with 19 known ones. On the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR data, and chemical evidence, the structures of the new compounds were deter-mined to be 3beta-[(O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]olean-12-en-28-oic acid O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3beta-[(O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]olean-12-en-28-oic acid O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3beta-[(O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-23-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3beta-[(O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-23-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3beta-[(O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-29-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, and 3beta-[(O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-23,29-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, respectively. The main triterpene glycosides contained in the stems of A. quinata were found to have two sugar units at C-3 and C-28 of the aglycone in this study, whereas those of Akebia trifoliate were reported to possess one sugar unit at C-28 of the aglycone. It may be possible to distinguish between A. quinata and A. trifoliate chemically by comparing their triterpene glycoside constituents.     

Two New Pentacyclic Triterpenes from Sabia parviflora

Two new pentacyclic triterpene acids,1α,3β-dihydroxyl-olean-12-en-28-oic acid and 1α，2α,3β-trihydroxyl-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, were isolated from the arial parts of Sabia parviflora.     

Triterpene glycosides from the bark of Robinia pseudo-acacia L. I.

From the bark of Robinia pseudo-acacia L., five new triterpene glycosides, robiniosides A-D (3, 5-7) and compound III (4), were isolated and their structures were elucidated as 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D- glucuronopyranosyl 3 beta,22 beta-dihydroxyolean-12-en-29-oic acid (3), 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D -glucuronopyranosyl 3 beta,22 beta,24-trihydroxyolean-12-en-29-oic acid (4), whose sapogenol was unambiguously characterized and designated as oxytrogenin, 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D glucuronopyranosyl oxytrogen (5), 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D galactopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl oxytrogenin 22-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (6), 3-O-alpha-L- rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-glucuronop yranosyl oxytrogenin 22-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside (7), respectively, together with two known triterpene glycosides, kaikasaponin III (1) and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-D - glucuronopyranosyl 3 beta,22 beta-dihydroxyolean-12-en-29-oic acid (2).     

五叶木通中一个新的三萜成分

对五叶木通藤茎进行了较为系统的研究, 从其体积分数为80%的乙醇提取物的正丁醇部分分离得到3个三萜成分, 通过理化性质和波谱分析鉴定为: 3α,24-二羟基-30-去甲齐墩果烷-12,20(29)-双烯-28-酸(Ⅰ); 3α,24,29-三羟基齐墩果烷-12-烯-28-酸(Ⅱ); 2α,3β,23-三羟基齐墩果烷-12-烯-28-酸(Ⅲ). 其中化合物Ⅱ为新化合物, 命名为木通茎酸(Quinatic stem acid).     

Triterpenoidal constituents of the leaves of Carissa carandas

Studies undertaken on the fresh leaves of Carissa carandas have led to the isolation of four pentacyclic triterpenoids (1-4) including one new constituent carissin (1) and two hitherto unreported compounds 2 and 3. The structure of the new triterpenoid has been elucidated as 3beta-hydroxy-27-E-feruloyloxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid. Compelete assignment of the protons of 2 has also been made based on 2D NMR studies.     

New oleanene glycosides from the leaves of Acanthopanax japonicus

The structures of 6 new oleanene glycosides (1--6) isolated from the leaves of Acanthopanax japonicus FRANCH et. SAVART (Araliaceae) were elucidated by mass, 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The structures of 1--6 were established as 28-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester of 3beta,23-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-28,29-dioic acid, 3beta,30-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-23,28-dioic acid, 3beta,29-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-23,28-dioic acid (=dianic aicd), 3beta-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-23,28-dioic acid (=gypsogenic acid), 3beta,29-dihydroxy-23-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid, and 3beta-hydroxy-23-oxo-olean-12-en-28,29-dioic acid, designated acanjaposide D (1), E (2), F (3), G (4), H (5), and I (6), respectively.     

Components from the steamed leaves of Acanthopanax koreanum and their effects on PPAR activity in HepG2 cells

Three ent-kaurane diterpenes (1-3), four lupane-triterpene glycosides (4-7), and an oleanane-triterpene glycoside (8) were isolated from the ethyl acetate and water extracts of the steamed leaves of Acanthopanax koreanum using a combination of various column chromatographies. The structures of the isolates were determined by 1H-, 13C-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. To investigate the biological effects of the eight compounds (1-8) on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), luciferase reporter assays were used. Among the tested compounds, ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (1), 16alpha-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (2), and 17-hydroxy-ent-kaur-15-en-19-oic acid (3) showed considerable effects on PPARgamma activity, compared with the positive control, troglitazone. To evaluate specificity and sensitivity of the active compounds (1-3) in the regulation of transactivation of PPARs, Gal4-PPARs-LBD luciferase reporter assays were examined. In this study, the three ent-kaurane diterpenes (1-3) were found to up-regulate PPARbeta/delta and PPARgamma activities, whereas they did not activate PPARalpha activity.     

Chemical constituents and antibacterial activity of Melastoma malabathricum L

The aqueous methanolic extracts of Melastoma malabathricum L. exhibited antibacterial activity when assayed against seven microorganisms by the agar diffusion method. Solvent fractionation afforded active chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions from the leaves and the flowers, respectively. A phytochemical study resulted in the identification of ursolic acid (1), 2α-hydroxyursolic acid (2), asiatic acid (3), β-sitosterol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4) and the glycolipid glycerol 1,2-dilinolenyl-3-O-β-D-galactopyanoside (5) from the chloroform fraction. Kaempferol (6), kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (7), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (8), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (9), kaempferol 3-O-(2″,6″-di-O-E-p-coumaryl)-β-D-galactopyranoside (10), quercetin (11) and ellagic acid (12) were found in the ethyl acetate fraction. The structures of these compounds were determined by chemical and spectral analyses. Compounds 1-4, the flavonols (6 and 11) and ellagic acid (12) were found to be active against some of the tested microorganisms, while the kaempferol 3-O-glycosides (7-9) did not show any activity, indicating the role of the free 3-OH for antibacterial activity. Addition of p-coumaryl groups results in mild activity for 10 against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus. Compounds 2-5, 7 and 9-12 are reported for the first time from M. malabathricum. Compound 10 is rare, being reported only once before from a plant, without assignment of the double bond geometry in the p-coumaryl moiety.     

Network Pharmacology-Based Study to Uncover Potential Pharmacological Mechanisms of Korean Thistle (Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) Matsum.) Flower against Cancer

Cirsium japonicum var. maackii (Maxim.) Matsum. or Korean thistle flower is a herbal plant used to treat tumors in Korean folk remedies, but its essential bioactives and pharmacological mechanisms against cancer have remained unexplored. This study identified the main compounds(s) and mechanism(s) of the C. maackii flower against cancer via network pharmacology. The bioactives from the C. maackii flower were revealed by gas chromatography-mass spectrum (GC-MS), and SwissADME evaluated their physicochemical properties. Next, target(s) associated with the obtained bioactives or cancer-related targets were retrieved by public databases, and the Venn diagram selected the overlapping targets. The networks between overlapping targets and bioactives were visualized, constructed, and analyzed by RPackage. Finally, we implemented a molecular docking test (MDT) to explore key target(s) and compound(s) on AutoDockVina and LigPlot+. GC-MS detected a total of 34 bioactives and all were accepted by Lipinski’s rules and therefore classified as drug-like compounds (DLCs). A total of 597 bioactive-related targets and 4245 cancer-related targets were identified from public databases. The final 51 overlapping targets were selected between the bioactive targets network and cancer-related targets. With Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, a total of 20 signaling pathways were manifested, and a hub signaling pathway (PI3K-Akt signaling pathway), a key target (Akt1), and a key compound (Urs-12-en-24-oic acid, 3-oxo, methyl ester) were selected among the 20 signaling pathways via MDT. Overall, Urs-12-en-24-oic acid, 3-oxo, methyl ester from the C. maackii flower has potent anti-cancer efficacy by inactivating Akt1 on the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.     

Chemical constituents of the aerial parts of Kalidium foliatum

Studies on the chemical constituents of the aerial parts of Kalidium foliatum have led to the isolation of three new and one known compounds. The structures of new constituents have been elucidated through spectral studies including 2D-NMR experiments (HMQC, HMBC, COSY, NOESY and J-resolved) and MS/MS fragmentation using Q-TOF mass spectrometer equipped with an ESI source as kalidiumoside C (=3beta-hydroxy-29-methylmalonoxy-olean-12-en-23,28-dioic acid-23-methyl-28-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester; 1), kalidiunin (=3beta,23,29-trihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-methyl-oate; 2) and kalidiumoside D (=3beta,23,29-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester; 3). The known compound was identified as 3beta,23,29-trihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 4) through comparison of its spectral data with those reported in literature. Acid hydrolysis of both 2 and 3 yielded the known compound 4 providing a conclusive evidence of the proposed structures.     

A novel beta-glucuronidase inhibiting triterpenoid from Paeonia emodi

A novel beta-glucuronidase inhibiting triterpene (1) has been isolated from the chloroform fraction of Paeonia emodi beta-glucuronidase inhibit established ase chloroform fraction of Pa 11,beta,5alpha,23,24-pentahydroxy-30-norolean-12,20(29)-d ien-28-oic acid on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including high resolution mass spectroscopy, one and two-dimensional NMR techniques. Oleanolic acid, betulinic acid, ethyl gallate, methyl grevillate and 1,5-dihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone are also reported for the first time from Paeonia emodi.     

Ursethoxy acid,a new triterpene from Lantana camara

A new pentacyclic triterpene, named ursethoxy acid (1) was isolated from the aerial parts of Lantana camara Linn. Its structure has been elucidated as 3,25-epoxy-3alpha-ethoxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid through extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR (COSY-45, NOESY, J-resolved, HMQC and HMBC) studies.     

A New Triterpenoid from Doellingeria scaber

A new oleanane-type triterpene was isolated from the roots ofDoellingeria scaber. Itsstructure was identified as 3-oxo-16ct-hydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid based on 1D and 2D NMRspectroscopy and X-ray analysis.