Pregnane glycosides, gymnepregosides G-Q from the roots of Gymnema alternifolium.

The structural elucidation of eleven new related polyoxypregnane glycosides, gymnepregosides G (1), H (2), I (3), J (4), K (5), L (6), M (7), N (8), O (9), P (10) and Q (11), from the roots of Gymnema alternifolium (Asclepiadaceae) was achieved by a detailed study of 1H- and 13C-NMR spectral data and chemical means. The results obtained for new compounds, 1-11, show that they are (20S)-pregn-6-ene-3 beta,5 alpha,8 beta,12 beta,14 beta,17 beta,20-heptaol 3-O-glycosides, and all the sugars at C-3 are beta(i-->4)-linked. Some of them possess benzoyl, (E)- and (Z)-cin-namoyl, and tigloyl residues as the ester linkages located at C-12 and/or C-20 of the aglycone.     

Cytotoxic 13,28 Epoxy Bridged Oleanane-Type Triterpenoid Saponins from the Roots of Ardisia crispa

Ardisiacrispin D–F (1–3), three new 13,28 epoxy bridged oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins, together with four known analogues (4–7) were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crispa. The structures of 1–7 were elucidated based on 1D and 2D-NMR experiments and by comparing their spectroscopic data with values from the published literatures. Ardisiacrispin D–F (1–3) are first examples that the monosaccharide directly linked to aglycone C-3 of triterpenoid saponins in genus Ardisia are non-arabinopyranose. In the present paper, all compounds are evaluated for the cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines (HeLa, HepG2 and U87 MG) in vitro. The results show that compounds 1, 4 and 6 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against Hela and U87 MG cells with IC₅₀ values in the range of 2.2 ± 0.6 to 9.5 ± 1.8 µM. The present investigation suggests that roots of A. crispa could be a potential source of natural anti-tumor agents and their triterpenoid saponins might be responsible for cytotoxicity.     

Triterpenoid saponins from leaves of Hedera pastuchowii

Five new triterpenoid saponins, pastuchoside A (1), B (3), C (5), D (7) and E (9), were isolated from the leaves of Hedera pastuchowii. They have oleanolic acid or hederagenin as aglycone. The structures were established by NMR spectroscopy including gs (gradient selected)-COSY, gs-HSQC, gs-HSQC-TOCSY and gs-HMBC experiments, and mass spectrometry (ESI-HR-MS). Heptaoside saponins, compounds 1 and 3, are described for the first time in the genus Hedera.     

New Triterpenoid Glycosides from the Roots of Camellia oleifera Abel

Five new triterpenoid saponins, oleiferosides I–M ( 1 – 5 , resp.) were isolated from the roots of Camellia oleifera Abel . Their structures were elucidated by a combination of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and chemical methods. All the compounds were identified as oleanane‐type saponins with sugar moieties linked to C(3) of the aglycone. In addition, cytotoxic activities of these saponins were evaluated against four human tumor cell lines (A549, B16, BEL‐7402, and MCF‐7) by using the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) in vitro assay. All of the compounds showed significant cytotoxic activities against the tested cell lines.     

Triterpene saponins with XOD inhibitory activity from the roots of Ilex pubescens

A new triterpene saponin with 28-nor-urs-12(13),18(17)-dien-3β-ol as aglycone,named ilexsaponin C(1) was isolated from the roots of Ilex pubescens,together with three known saponins 2,3 and 4.The structure of 1 was elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis including 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS.Saponins 1 and 4 exhibited significant XOD inhibitory activity in the test.     

Platycoside N: a new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum

A new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin, named platycoside N (1), together with six known saponins, was isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum. On the basis of acid hydrolysis, comprehensive spectroscopic data analyses and comparison with the spectral data of the known compounds, its structure was elucidated as 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-2β,3β,16α,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside. The six known compounds were platycodin D (2), deapioplatycodin D (3), platycodin D3 (4), deapioplatycodin D3 (5), platycoside E (6) and deapioplatycoside E (7).     

Antimitotic and antifungal C-3/C-3''-biflavanones from Stellera chamaejasme

Two new C-3/C-3' biflavanones, chamaejasmenin D (1) and isochamaejasmenin B (2), were isolated from the roots of Stellera chamaejasme, together with five known biflavanones, chamaejasmenin A (3), chamaejasmenin B (4), neochamaejasmin A (5), sikokianin A (6), and chamaejasmenin C (7). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR techniques. Among these compounds, 1-3 demonstrated potent antimitotic and antifungal activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 6.25, 6.25, and 3.12 microg/ml, respectively.     

Isolation of the muricins : Evidence of a chemical adaptation against fouling in the marine octocoral Muricea fruticosa (gorgonacea)

Chemical comparisons of the closely-related Pacific gorgonians Muricea californica and M. fruticosa have shown that the much less fouled M. fruticosa contains four new esterified aminogalactose saponins assigned as the muricins-1 through -4 (1–4). The structures of these new saponins were defined by chemical degradation yielding the aglycone pregna-5,20-dien-3β-ol, and by extensive ¹H and ¹³C NMR investigations. Muricins-2, -3 and -4 were found to possess 2-acetamidogalactopyranose components with unprecedented n-butyrate ester functionalities in the C-4', C-6' and the C-4' and C-6' positions, respectively. At approximately natural concentrations, the muricins were found to inhibit growth of the marine diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. The muricins did not, however, possess the ichthyotoxic, cytotoxic, or antimicrobial effects reported for numerous marine-derived saponins. The potential role of these compounds in contributing to the reduced fouling of M. frulicosa is discussed.     

27-Nor-triterpenoid saponins from Adina rubella

Three new 27-nor-triterpenoid saponias named rubenorside A (1),rubenorside B(2) and rubenorside C (3) were isolated from the roots of Adina rubella.Their structures were characienzed as pyrocincholic acid 3β-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(28→1 )-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1),pyrocinchohe acid 3β-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-fucopyranosyl(28→1)-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→6)-β-D-glico-pyranosyl ester (2) and pyrocincholic acid 3β-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl(28→1)β-D-glucopyranosyl(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester () by spectral methods,especially 2D NMR experiments.     

Iridoid glycosides from Globularia davisiana

From the ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Globularia davisiana, a new iridoid glycoside, davisioside (1), was isolated. Davisioside (1) comprises a rare iridoid aglycone structure with a saturated double bond between C-3 and C-4. Nine known iridoid glycosides, asperuloside (2), alpinoside (3), geniposide (4), globularin (5), globularicisin (6), 10-O-benzoylcatalpol (7), lytanthosalin (8), melampyroside (9), agnuside (10), and three known phenylethanoid glycosides, verbascoside, isoacteoside and leucosceptoside A were also isolated and characterized. The structures of the isolates were established by spectroscopic methods (one-dimensional (1D)- and two-dimensional (2D)-NMR, MS).     

A new triterpenoid saponin from the roots of Ardisia crenata

A new triterpenoid saponin.3 β-O-{ β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1—4)-[ β-D-glucopyranosyl-[1-2)]- α-L-arabinopyranosyl}-16α, 28-dihydroxyolean-12-en-30-oic acid 30-O- β-D-glucopyranosyl ester(ardisicrenoside N.1),together with two known saponins, ardisicrenoside C(2) and D(3),were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crenata Sim.Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectral analysis and chemical evidences.Saponins 1 showed cytotoxicity against MCI-7 and NCI-H460 cancer cell lines at 11.0μmol/L and 22.1μmol/L in vitro.     

Characterization of spirostanol saponins in Solanum torvum by high-performance liquid chromatography/evaporative light scattering detector/electrospray ionization with multi-stage tandem mass spectrometry

High-performance liquid chromatography with an evaporative light scattering detector and electrospray ionization multistage tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ELSD/ESI-MS(n)) was used to identify spirostanol saponins in a saponin extract of Solanum torvum. The fragmentation behavior of saponins was studied using ESI-MS(1-3) in positive ion mode. The MS(n) spectra of the [M+H](+) ions provide structural information including aglycone type and the nature and sequence of sugars. The use of ELSD allowed the profiling of the nonchromophore-containing saponins in this plant. The MS analysis established in this study with known saponins was successfully applied to tentatively identify two new siprostanol glycosides, neosolaspigenin 6-O-beta-D-quinovopyranoside and solagenin 6-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-O-beta-D-quinovopyranoside].     

Two new triterpenoid saponins from Lonicera macranthoides

Two new triterpenoid saponins named lonimacranthoideⅣ(1) and lonimacranthoideⅤ(2) were isolated from the flower buds of Lonicera macranthoides Hand.-Mazz.(Caprifoliaceae).They have hederagenin as aglycone.LonimacranthoideⅣ(1) is a rare chlorogenic acid ester acylated on the C-23 of hederagenin.LonimacranthoideⅣis a new sulfated triterpenoid saponin.The structures of the saponins were established by chemical and spectral methods.     

Steroidal saponins from the bulbs of Allium karataviense.

Chemical examination of the bulbs of Allium karataviense led to the isolation of five new spirostanol saponins (7-11) and a new furostanol saponin (12), together with a known steroidal sapogenin (1) and five known saponins (2-6). The structures of the new saponins were determined by detailed analysis of their spectral data, including two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The steroidal saponins produced by A. karataviense, except for 5 and 6, were found to be based upon (25R)-5 alpha-spirostane-2 alpha,3 beta,5,6 beta-tetrol (alliogenin) and contain a beta-D-glucopyranosyl moiety with the formation of an O-glycoside linkage to C-2 of the polyhydroxylated steroidal skeleton as the common structural feature. The isolated compounds were evaluated for cytostatic activity against human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells.     

Ardisimamillosides C-F, four new triterpenoid saponins from Ardisia mamillata

Four new triterpenoid saponins, ardisimamilloside C (1), 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta -D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-3beta,16al pha,28,30-tetrahydroxy-olean-12-en, ardisimamilloside D (2), 3-O-?alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta -D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-3beta,15al pha,28,30-tetrahydroxy-olean-12-en, ardisimamilloside E (3), 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta -D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosl]-13beta,2 8-epoxy-3beta,16alpha,29-oleananetriol, and ardisimamilloside F (4), 3-O-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta -D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-3beta,16al pha-dihydroxy-13beta,28-epoxy-oleanan-30-oic acid were isolated from the roots of Ardisia mamillata Hance. Structure assignments were established on the basis of highresolution (HR)-FAB-MS, 1H-, 13C-, and two-dimensional (2D)-NMR spectra, and on the chemical evidence.     

The C-glucosyl bond of puerarin was cleaved hydrolytically by a human intestinal bacterium strain PUE to yield its aglycone daidzein and an intact glucose

C-Glycosides are usually resistant against acidic hydrolysis and enzymatic treatments because C-1 of the sugar moiety is directly attached to the aglycone by C-C bonding. Nevertheless, a human intestinal bacterium, strain PUE, can cleave the C-glucosyl bond of puerarin to yield its aglycone daidzein. To clarify the mechanism of the cleaving reaction, we tried to identify the structure of the metabolite derived from the sugar moiety of puerarin. To detect it easily, deuterium labeled puerarin, [6″,6″-D(2)]puerarin, was prepared in 7 steps. Sugars contained in a metabolite mixture from [6″,6″-D(2)]puerarin was analyzed by an HPLC-electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS method after treatment of sugars with 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP). Since deuterium labeled glucose was detected in the metabolite mixture of [6″,6″-D(2)]puerarin, we concluded that puerarin was metabolized to daidzein and an intact glucose by strain PUE. As C-1 of the sugar was hydroxylated instead of hydrogenating, C-glucosyl bond-cleaving reaction is not reduction but hydrolysis. This is the first report of revealing the reaction manner and the exact products of C-glucosyl bond-cleaving reaction.     

Six New Steroidal Saponins from Helleborus thibetanus

Six steroidal saponins, including five spirostanol glycosides, 1 – 5 , and one furostanol glycoside 1‐sulfonate, 6 , previously unknown in nature, together with three known compounds, 7 – 9 , were isolated from dried roots and rhizomes of Helleborus thibetanus. Their structures were elucidated by extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments, along with IR and HR‐ESI‐MS data, as well as the results of acid hydrolysis. Compounds 1 – 5 possessed a C(25)?C(27) bond and were glycosylated at HO? C(1), which was unusual in steroidal saponins.     

The Isolation,Structure Elucidation and Bioactivity Study of Chilensosides A,A1, B,C, and D,Holostane Triterpene Di-, Tri- and Tetrasulfated Pentaosides from the Sea Cucumber Paracaudina chilensis (Caudinidae,Molpadida)

Five new triterpene (4,4,14-trimethylsterol) di-, tri- and tetrasulfated pentaosides, chilensosides A (1), A₁ (2), B (3), C (4), and D (5) were isolated from the Far-Eastern sea cucumber Paracaudina chilensis. The structures were established on the basis of extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectra and confirmed by HR-ESI-MS data. The structural variability of the glycosides concerned the pentasaccharide chains. Their architecture was characterized by the upper semi-chain consisting of three sugar units and the bottom semi-chain of two sugars. Carbohydrate chains of compounds 2–5 differed in the quantity and positions of sulfate groups. The interesting structural features of the glycosides were: the presence of two sulfate groups at C-4 and C-6 of the same glucose residue in the upper semi-chain of 1, 2, 4, and 5 and the sulfation at C-3 of terminal glucose residue in the bottom semi-chain of 4 that makes its further elongation impossible. Chilensoside D (5) was the sixth tetrasulfated glycoside found in sea cucumbers. The architecture of the sugar chains of chilensosides A–D (1–5), the positions of sulfation, the quantity of sulfate groups, as well as the aglycone structures, demonstrate their similarity to the glycosides of the representatives of the order Dendrochirotida, confirming the phylogenetic closeness of the orders Molpadida and Dendrochirotida. The cytotoxic activities of the compounds 1–5 against human erythrocytes and some cancer cell lines are presented. Disulfated chilensosides A₁ (2) and B (3) and trisulfated chilensoside C (4) showed significant cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells.     

Two triterpenoid saponins from Neonauclea sessilifolia

From the dried roots of Neonauclea sessilifolia (Rubiaceae), two new triterpenoid saponins, 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl quinovic acid (1) and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl pyrocincholic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), were isolated, together with five known saponins. The structures of the new saponins were determined by spectroscopic and chemical means.     

Steroid saponins and sapogenins ofAllium. XVI. Turoside C fromAllium turcomanicum

From a methanolic extract of the bulbs ofAllium turcomanicum Rgl. we have isolated a new furostanol glycoside, turoside C (I). An acid hydrolysate was found to contain the aglycone — neoagigenin (II) — and the sugars D-xylose, D-glucose, and D-galactose in a ratio of 1:4:1. The structure of the furostanol (I) has been established by methylation, enzymatic hydrolysis, and oxidative cleavage, and also by the oxidative cleavage of (II), as (25S)-5α-furostan-2α,3β,6β,22α,26-pentaol 26-O-β-D-glucopyranoside 3-O-{[O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)]-[O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-galacto-pyranoside}.