Planta Med 2004; 70(10): 960-966
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-832623
Original Paper
Natural Product Chemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Cytotoxic Saponins from Schefflera rotundifolia

Alessandra Braca1 , Giuseppina Autore2 , Francesco De Simone2 , Stefania Marzocco2 , Ivano Morelli1 , Fabio Venturella3 , Nunziatina De Tommasi2
  • 1Dipartimento di Chimica Bioorganica e Biofarmacia, Università di Pisa, Pisa, Italy
  • 2Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche, Università di Salerno, Fisciano, Salerno, Italy
  • 3Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche, Università di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Received: April 28, 2004

Accepted: July 5, 2004

Publication Date:
18 October 2004 (online)

Abstract

Eight new oleanane and lupane saponins (1 - 8) as well as two new benzyl glycosides (9 and 10) were isolated from the aerial parts of Schefflera rotundifolia (Ten) Frodin (Araliaceae) together with two known benzyl glycosides. Their structures were established using 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The antiproliferative activity of all compounds was evaluated using three continuous murine and human culture cell lines J774.A1, HEK-293, and WEHI-164. Compounds 7 and 8, having betulinic acid as aglycone, were the most active constituents.

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Prof. Nunziatina De Tommasi

Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche

Università di Salerno

Via Ponte Don Melillo

84084 Fisciano (SA)

Italy

Fax: +39-89-962-828

Email: detommasi@unisa.it