Two New Steroidal Saponins from the Rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica and their Cytotoxic Activity

Abstract

Two new steroidal saponins, dioscoresides C (1) and D (2), along with a new natural product, pregnadienolone 3-O-β-gracillimatriose (3), and two known compounds, pregnadienolone 3-O-β-chacotrioside (4) and pseudoprotodioscin (5), were isolated from the rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica Prain et Burkill. On the basis of extensive NMR studies and chemical evidence, dioscoresides C and D were determined to be 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3β,26-dihydroxy-23(S)-methoxy-25(R)-furosta-5,20(22)-dien-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside and 26-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3β,26-dihydroxy-20,22-seco-25(R)-furosta-5-en-20,22-dine-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→ 4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside. These compounds showed mild cytotoxicity against the cancer cell lines, A375, L929, and HeLa, in a dose-dependent manner.

Key words

Dioscorea panthaica - Dioscoreaceae - steroidal saponins - dioscoreside C - dioscoreside D - cytotoxic activity

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