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 lanostane-type triterpenes from Fomes officinalis

Five new lanostane-type triterpenes, named fomefficinic acid A-E (1-5), were isolated from the dried sclerotium of Fomes officinalis, respectively. Their structures were established as 24-methylene-3-oxo-lanost-8-en-21-oic acid (1), 3alpha,15alpha-dihydroxy-24-methylene-lanosta-7,9(11)-dien-21-oic acid (2), 3alpha,15alpha-dihydroxy-24-methylene-lanost-8-en-21-oic acid (3), 15alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-24-methylenelanost-8-en-21-oic acid (4), 15alpha-acetoxy-3-oxo-24-methylenelanosta-7,9(11)-dien-21-oic acid (5), by spectral analysis and chemical methods as well as comparison with known compounds.     

New ent-kaurane diterpenes with chiral epoxyangelate moieties from Wedelia prostrata

Four new ent-kaurane diterpenes with chiral epoxyangelate moieties, (2′R,3′R)-3 a- (2′,3′-epoxyangeloyloxy)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (1), (2′S,3′S)-3 a- (2′,3′-epoxyangeloyloxy)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (2), (2′S,3′R)-3 a- (2',3'-epoxyangeloyloxy)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (3) and (2′R,3′S)-3α- (2′,3'-epoxyangeloyloxy)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (4), along with eight known diterpenes (5-12), were isolated from Wedelia prostrata. The absolute configurations of the new structures were determined by X-ray crystallography,ECD calculations and chemical methods. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity activities on human HepG-2 cells,with IC_(50) values of 11.72 ±0.22 μmol/L to 54.75±1.12 μmol/L.     

A new pentacyclic triterpenoid glucoside from Prunus serrulata var. spontanea

A new triterpenoid, 2alpha,3alpha,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (4) along with four known triterpenoids, ursolic acid (1), 2alpha-hydroxyursolic acid (2), 2alpha,3alpha,24-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (3), and 2alpha,3alpha,19alpha,24-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid-28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (5), were isolated from the leaves of Prunus serrulata var. spontanea (Rosaceae). Compounds 3-5 showed ONOO(-) scavenging activity, whereas compounds 1 and 2 were virtually inactive.     

New Triterpenes from the Heartwood of Melaleuca leucadendron L.

Fourteen chemical constituents were isolated from the CHCl₃ soluble portion of the heartwood of Melaleuca leucadendron L. These compounds include β-sitosterol (1) , β-sitostenone (2) , 6-hydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-3-hepten-2-one (3) , naphthalene (4) , squalene (5) , 2α3β-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (6) , 3β-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-27,28-dioic acid (7) , 2α,3β-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (8) , 3β,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (9) , 2α,3β,23-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (10) , 3β-trans-p-coumaroyloxy-2α,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (11) , and three novel oleanane derivatives 23-trans-p-coumaroyloxy-2α,3β-dihydroxyotean-12-en-28-oic acid (12), 3β-trans-caffeoyloxy-2α,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (13) , and its isomer 3β-cis-caffeoyloxy-2α,23-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (14) , The three novel compounds were characterized as the two and three O-methylated derivatives, respectively.     

Effect of some ent-kaurenes on the viability of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

The possible cytotoxic activity of some ent-kaurenes on human mononuclear cells, obtained from peripheral blood, was studied having in mind future studies on their antitumor activity. The cells were obtained using the Ficoll-Hypaque method, adjusted to 2 x 10(6) cells/mL, and incubated with kaurenes for 48 hours at 3 x 10(-5), 30 x 10(-5), 300 x 10(-1) and 3000 x 10(-5) micromol/well. Ent-kaurenic acid showed no toxicity at all concentrations studied. The least toxic of all the kaurene derivatives studied was ent-15,16-epoxy-17-acetoxy-(-)-kauran-19-oic acid, with a cellular viability of 99% at 3 x l0(-5) micromol/well, and 94% at 30 x 10(-1) micromol/well. Another compound that showed low toxicity was the 2,3,4,6-tetra-acetyl-alpha-D-pyranosyl ester of ent-15-oxo-(-)-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid with 44% viability at 3000 x 10(-5) micromol/well. The most toxic compounds at all concentrations tested were ent-kaur-16-en-19-ol acetate and ent-16alpha-hydroxy-(-)-kauran-19-oic acid. On the other hand, ent-kaur-9(11)16-dien-19-oic acid, ent-kauran-19-oic acid, and ent-kaur-16-en-19-ol were toxic only at the highest concentration studied. According to these results, and considering the concentrations employed, ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid and ent-15,16-epoxy-17-acetoxy-(-)-kauran-19-oic acid could be used for in vivo experiments and possibly for therapeutic purposes on humans, without much risk.     

Fargosides A-E, triterpenoid saponins from Holboellia fargesii

Five new triterpenoid saponins, fargosides A, B, C, D, and E, were isolated from the roots of Holboellia fargesii. The structures of fargosides A-E were elucidated on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence and found to be 3beta,20alpha-dihydroxy-29-norolean-12-en-28-oic acid 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), 3beta,20alpha,24-trihydroxy-29-norolean-12-en-28-oic acid 23-O-beta-D-fucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3beta,23-dihydroxy-30-norolean-2,20(29)-dien-28-oic acid 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid-(1-->3)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (3), 3beta,23-dihydroxy-30-norolean-12,20(29)-dien-28-oic acid 3-O-methyl beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (4), and 3beta,23-dihydroxy-olean-12-en-28-oic acid 3-O-methyl beta-D-glucopyranosyluronate-(1-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (5), respectively.     

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.     

Microbial hydroxylation and glycosidation of oleanolic acid by Circinella muscae and their anti-inflammatory activities

Biotransformation of oleanolic acid (OA) by Circinella muscae AS 3.2695 was investigated. Nine hydroxylated and glycosylated metabolites (1–9) were obtained. Their structures were elucidated as 3β,7β-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (1), 3β,7β,21β-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (2), 3β,7α,21β-trihydroxyolean-12-en- 28-oic acid (3), 3β,7β,15α-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (4), 7β,15α-dihydroxy- 3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (5), 7β-hydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid (6), oleanolic acid-28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (7), 3β,21β-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28- oic acid-28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (8), and 3β,7β,15α-trihydroxyolean-12-en- 28-oic acid-28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (9) by spectroscopic analysis. Among them, compounds 4 and 9 were new compounds. In addition, anti-inflammatory activities were assayed and evaluated for the isolated metabolites. Most of the metabolites exhibited significant inhibitory activities on lipopolysaccharides-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells.     

Terpene glycosides from the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis L. and their hemostatic activities

Guided by a hemostasis bioassay, seven terpene glycosides were isolated from the roots of Sanguisorba officinalis L. by silica gel column chromatography and preparative HPLC. On the grounds of chemical and spectroscopic methods, their structures were identified as citronellol-1-O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), geraniol-1-O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), geraniol-1-O-α-Larabinopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), 3β-[(α-L-arabinopyranosyl)oxy]-19α-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), 3β-[(α-L-arabinopyranosyl)-oxy]-19α-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid 28-β-D-glucopyranoside (ziyu-glycoside I, 5), 3β,19α-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-β-D-glucopyranoside (6) and 3β,19α-dihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid 28-β-D-glucopyranoside (7). Compound 1 is a new mono-terpene glycoside and compounds 2, 3 and 5 were isolated from the Sanguisorba genus for the first time. Compounds 1–7 were assayed for their hemostatic activities with a Goat Anti-Human α2-plasmin inhibitor ELISA kit, and ziyu-glycoside I (5) showed the strongest hemostatic activity among the seven terpene glycosides. This is the first report that ziyu-glycoside Ι has strong hemostatic activity.     

Additional minor diterpene glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana

From the commercial extract of the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, two additional new diterpenoid glycosides were isolated and their structures were characterized as 13-[(2-O-beta-glucopyranosyl-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy] ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1) and 13-[(2-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy] ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2) on the basis of extensive spectral data (NMR and MS) and chemical studies.     

Minor triterpenoid saponins from Ardisia crenata

Two minor triterpenoid saponins, ardisicrenoside G [3 beta-O-{alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)- [beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl}-16 alpha,28-dihydroxyolean-12-en-30-oic acid] and ardisicrenoside H [3 beta-O-{beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L- arabinopyranosyl}-16 alpha,28-dihydroxyolean-12-en-30-oic acid] were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crenata. Structural assignments are based on NMR, MS and chemical reactions.     

Stereoselective synthesis and hormonal activity of novel dafachronic acids and naturally occurring steroids isolated from corals

A stereoselective synthesis of (25S)-Δ(1)-, (25S)-Δ(1,4)-, (25S)-Δ(1,7)-, (25S)-Δ(8(14))-, (25S)-Δ(4,6,8(14))-dafachronic acid, methyl (25S)-Δ(1,4)-dafachronate and (25S)-5α-hydroxy-3,6-dioxocholest-7-en-26-oic acid is described. (25S)-Δ(1,4)-Dafachronic acid and its methyl ester are natural products isolated from corals and have been obtained by synthesis for the first time. (25S)-5α-Hydroxy-3,6-dioxocholest-7-en-26-oic acid represents a promising synthetic precursor for cytotoxic marine steroids.     

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.     

Two minor diterpene glycosides from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana

Two new new diterpene glycosides, 13-[(2-O-(6-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy] kaur-16-en-18-oic acid beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1) and 13-[(2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3-O-beta-D-fructofuranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy] kaur-16-en-18-oic acid beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2) were isolated from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, along with the known steviol glycosides stevioside, rebaudiosides A-F and dulcoside A. The structures of the two new compounds were established on the basis of extensive 2D NMR (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC), MS and chemical studies.     

Terpenoids from Turraeanthus species

Chemical investigation of the root bark of Turraeanthus mannii and the stem of T. longipes resulted in the isolation of two new diterpenes, 13-methyl-labda-8(17)-en-15-oic acid (1) and 13-(hydroxymethyl)-14-hydroxy-ent-labda-8(17)-en-15-oic acid (2), along with two known diterpenes, 19-hydroxy-ent-labda-8(17),13-dien-15,16-olide (3) and 19-acetoxy-ent-labda-8(17),13-dien-15,16-olide (4), and the phytosterol, stigmasterol. The structure elucidation of the new compounds has been achieved using spectroscopic techniques.     

Complete assignments of 1H and 13C NMR spectral data for three polyhydroxylated 12-ursen-type triterpenoids from Dischidia esquirolii

The complete assignments of all the (1)H and (13)C NMR signals of three polyhydroxylated 12-ursen-type triterpenes, 6beta,19alpha,22alpha-trihydroxyurs-12-en-3-oxo-28-oic acid (1), 3beta,6alpha,19alpha,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28- oic acid (2) and 3beta,6beta,19alpha,23-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (3), were carried out by means of homo- and hetero-nuclear two-dimensional NMR experiments. Compounds 1-3 were isolated from the aerial parts of Dischidia esquirolii. Of them, 1 and 2 were identified as new polyhydroxylated ursolic acid derivatives. Compound 2 is the C-6 hydroxyl epimer of 3, which was isolated first from Adina rubella, and its structure is revised in this paper.     

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.     

Five new triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum

Five new triterpenoid saponins, platycoside H [3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,16alpha,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside], platycoside I [3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,16alpha,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside], platycoside J [3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,16alpha,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside], platycoside K [3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,16alpha,23,24-pentahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid], and platycoside L [3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2beta,3beta,16alpha,23,24-pentahydroxyolean-12-en-28 oic acid], and three known triterpenoid saponins, platycoside F, platycoside B, and platycoside C, were isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of their spectral data and chemical evidence.     

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.