Two new bioactive triterpenoids from the roots of Colubrina asiatica

Abstract

Two new ceanothane triterpenes, 3,7-O,O-dibenzoyl ceanothic acid methylester (1) and 3-O-acetyl-7-O-benzoyl ceanothic acid methylester (2), along with nine known compounds (3–11), were isolated from the roots of Colubrina asiatica. The isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic evidence. Compounds 1 and 2 showed antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum with IC₅₀ values of 4.67 and 3.07 µg/mL, respectively. Compound 2 also showed antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MIC 6.25 µg/mL). In addition, compounds 1, 2, 10 and 11 showed cytotoxicity against three cancer cell lines (KB, NCI-H187 and MCF-7) with IC₅₀ values ranging from 8.32 to 46.72 µg/mL.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Colubrina asiatica
• triterpene
• ceanothane
• antimalarial
• cytotoxicity