Triterpenoids from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge

Abstract

A new triterpenoid saponin, 3-O-[(3-O-α-l-arabinofuranosyl-2-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl]-21,22-di-O-angeloyl-R₁-barrigenol (1), together with four known triterpenoids, have been isolated from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. Their structures were elucidated based on chemical and spectral analysis. Among them, 1 was found to have activity of inhibiting the proliferation of six human tumour cell lines (IC₅₀ 10–40 μg/ml).

Keywords:

• Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge
• Husks
• Triterpenoids
• Structure elucidation
• Inhibition of tumour cell lines

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Analytical Centre, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, for recording UV, ESI-MS and NMR spectra. Sincere thanks are also due to the State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Health Science Centre, Peking University, for activity testing.