Triterpenoid Saponins from Ardisia pusilla and their Cytotoxic Activity

Abstract

Three new triterpenoid saponins 3, 4 and 5, together with two known saponins, ardisiacrispin B (1) and ardisiacrispin A (2), were isolated from the whole plants of Ardisia pusilla A. DC. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectral analysis and chemical evidence. Compound 3 is a hexaglycoside with a 13,28-epoxyoleanane type aglycone, while both 4 and 5 are triterpenoid tetraglycosides related to the olean-12-ene skeleton. Saponins 1 – 4 exhibited significant cytotoxicity against human glioblastoma U251MG cells, but did not affect the growth of primary cultured human astrocytes.

Key words

Ardisia pusilla - Myrsinaceae - triterpenoid saponin - cytotoxicity - glioblastoma

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