Abstract
Four new furostanol saponins (1 – 4) and a new pregane-type saponin (5) along with six known steroidal saponins (6 – 11) were isolated from the rhizomes
of Smilax china. The structures of 1 – 5 were elucidated by extensive analysis of NMR and HR-ESI-MS data in addition to enzymatic hydrolysis and other chemical methods.
Compounds 1, 4, and 11 showed inhibitory activity against the expression of proinflammatory mediators, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6,
and tumor necrosis factor-α in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. Compound 1, at a concentration of 20 µM, decreased the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase,
interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α by 36, 62, 72, and 67%, respectively, which is comparable to that of the positive control dexamethasone.
Key words
Smilax china
- Smilacaceae - steroidal saponins - anti-inflammatory activity