Cytotoxic and antioxidant triterpene saponins from Butyrospermum parkii (Sapotaceae)

Three new triterpenoid saponins, elucidated as 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyloleanolic acid 28-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-xylopyranoside (parkioside A, 1), 3-O-[β-d-apifuranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]oleanolic acid 28-O-[β-d-apifuranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)β-d-xylopyranoside (parkioside B, 2) and 3-O-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-16α-hydroxyprotobassic acid 28-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-xylopyranoside (parkioside C, 3), were isolated from the n-BuOH extract of the root bark of Butyrospermum parkii, along with the known 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyloleanolic acid (androseptoside A). The structures of the isolated compounds were established on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods, mainly 1D and 2D NMR data and mass spectrometry. The new compounds were tested for both radical scavenging and cytotoxic activities. Compound 2 showed cytotoxic activity against A375 and T98G cell lines, with IC₅₀ values of 2.74 and 2.93 μM, respectively. Furthermore, it showed an antioxidant activity comparable to that of Trolox or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), used as controls, against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), oxygen and nitric oxide radicals.     

Novel steroidal saponins from Liriope graminifolia (Linn.) Baker with anti-tumor activities

Phytochemical investigation of the underground parts of Liriope graminifolia (Linn.) Baker resulted in the isolation of two new steroidal saponins lirigramosides A (1) and B (2) along with four known compounds. The structures were determined by extensive spectral analysis, including two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopy and chemical methods, to be 3-O-{β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(25S)-spirost-5-ene-3β,17α-diol (1), 1-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]-(25R)-ruscogenin (2), 1-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(25S)-ruscogenin (3), 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-1-O-sulfo-(25S)-ruscogenin (4), methylophiopogonanone B (5), and 5,7-dihydroxy-3-(4-methoxybenzyl)-6-methyl-chroman-4-one, (ophiopogonanone B, 6), respectively. Compound 1 has a new (25S)-spirost-5-ene-3β,17α-diol ((25S)-pennogenin) aglycone moiety. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against Hela and SMMC-7721 cells.     

Triterpenoid saponins from a cytotoxic root extract of Sideroxylonfoetidissimum subsp. gaumeri

Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of an ethanolic root extract of Sideroxylonfoetidissimum subsp. gaumeri (Sapotaceae) revealed activity against the murine macrophage-like cell line RAW 264.7. Systematic bioassay-guided fractionation of this extract gave an active saponin-containing fraction from which four saponins were isolated. Use of 1D (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT135) and 2D (COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, and HMBC) NMR, mass spectrometry and sugar analysis gave their structures as 3-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-28-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl)-16α-hydroxyprotobassic acid, 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-28-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl)-16α-hydroxyprotobassic acid, 3-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-28-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl)-16α-hydroxyprotobassic acid, and the known compound, 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-28-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl)-protobassic acid. Two further saponins were obtained from the same fraction, but as a 5:4 mixture comprising 3-O-(β-d-glucopyranosyl)-28-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl)-16α-hydroxyprotobassic acid and 3-O-(β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-28-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl)-16α-hydroxyprotobassic acid, respectively. This showed greater cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ = 11.9 ± 1.5 μg/ml) towards RAW 264.7 cells than the original extract (IC₅₀ = 39.5 ± 4.1 μg/ml), and the saponin-containing fraction derived from it (IC₅₀ = 33.7 ± 6.2 μg/ml).     

Unusual oleanane-type saponins from Arenaria montana

Three oleanane-type saponins, 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosylechinocystic acid 28-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl ester (1), 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosylechinocystic acid 28-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl ester (2), 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosylcaulophyllogenin 28-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1→3)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl ester (3) were isolated from the whole plant of Arenaria montana. Their unusual structures for the Caryophyllaceae family were established mainly by 2D NMR techniques and mass spectrometry.     

Two new steroidal saponins from Dioscorea panthaica

Two new furostanol saponins, 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-26-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-25(R)-furosta-5,22(23)-dien-3β,20α,26-triol (1), 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-26-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-20(R)-methoxyl-25(R)-furosta-5,22(23)-dien-3β,26-diol (2) were isolated from the Dioscorea panthaica along with five known steroidal saponins (3–7). The structures of the new saponins were determined by detailed analysis of spectral data (including 2D NMR spectroscopy). The inhibitory activities of the saponins against α-glucosidase were investigated, gracillin (4) and 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-26-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-25(R)-furosta-5,20(22)-dien-3β,26-diol (5) were found to exhibit potent activities with IC₅₀ values of 0.11 ± 0.04 mM and 0.09 ± 0.01 mM.     

Bioactive saponins from Microsechium helleri and Sicyos bulbosus

Eleven oleanane-type saponins (1-11) have been isolated from Microsechium helleri and Sicyos bulbosus roots and were evaluated for their antifeedant, nematicidal and phytotoxic activities. Saponins {3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl (1 → 3)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-2β,3β,16α,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranoside} (1), and {3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-2β,3β,16α,23-tetrahydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-α-l-arabinopyranoside} (2) were also isolated from M. helleri roots together with the two known compounds 3 and 4. Seven known structurally related saponins (5-11) were isolated from S. bulbosus roots. The structures of these compounds were established as bayogenin and polygalacic glycosides using one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Compounds 7, 10, bayogenin (12) and polygalacic acid (13) showed significant (p < 0.05) postingestive effects on Spodoptera littoralis larvae, compounds 5-11 and 12 showed variable nematicidal effects on Meloydogyne javanica and all tested saponins had variable phytotoxic effects on several plant species (Lycopersicum esculentum, Lolium perenne and Lactuca sativa). These are promising results in the search for natural pesticides from the Cucurbitaceae family.     

Acylated triterpene saponins from the roots of Securidaca longepedunculata

Four triterpene saponins, 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-{4-O-[(E)-3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamoyl]}-β-d-fucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[(6-O-acetyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-{4-O-[(E)-3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamoyl]}-β-d-fucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-[β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-{4-O-[(E)-3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamoyl]}-β-d-fucopyranosyl ester, and 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosylpresenegenin 28-O-β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-[β-d-apiofuranosyl-(1 → 3)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-{4-O-[(E)-3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamoyl]}-β-d-fucopyranosyl ester, were isolated from the roots of Securidaca longepedunculata, together with three known compounds. Their structures were established mainly by 2D NMR techniques and mass spectrometry.     

New steroidal saponins of Agave americana

Two new saponins, agavasaponin E and agavasaponin H have been isolated from the methanolic extract of Agave americana leaves and their structures elucidated. Agavasaponin E is 3-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→2glc1)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3glc 1)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-d-galactopyranosyl]-(25R)-5α-spirostan-12-on-3β-ol, whereas agavasaponin H is 3-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→2 glc 1)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3 glc 1)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-galactopyranosyl]-26-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl]-(25R)-5α-furostan-12-on-3β,22α,26-triol.     

Phenolic compounds and rare polyhydroxylated triterpenoid saponins from Eryngium yuccifolium

Phytochemical investigation on the whole plant of Eryngium yuccifolium resulted in the isolation and identification of three phenolic compounds (1-3) and 12 polyhydroxylated triterpenoid saponins, named eryngiosides A-L (4-15), together with four known compounds kaempferol-3-O-(2,6-di-O-trans-p-coumaroyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside (16), caffeic acid (17), 21β-angeloyloxy-3β-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyloxyolean-12-ene-15α,16α,22α,28-tetrol (18), and saniculasaponin III (19). This study reports the isolation of these compounds and their structural elucidation by extensive spectroscopic analyses and chemical degradation.     

Minor diterpenoid glycosides from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana

From the commercial extract of the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, three new diterpenoid glycosides were isolated besides eight known steviol glycosides including stevioside, rebaudiosides A–F and dulcoside A. The structures of the three compounds were identified as 13-[(2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl) oxy]-kaur-16-en-18-oic acid-(6-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl) ester (1), 13-[(2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl) oxy]-17-hydroxy-kaur-15-en-18-oic acid β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (2), and 13-[(2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl) oxy]-17-oxo-kaur-15-en-18-oic acid β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (3) on the basis of extensive NMR and MS spectral studies. Another known diterpenoid glycoside, 13-[(2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl) oxy]-kaur-15-en-18-oic acid β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (4) was also isolated and its complete NMR spectral assignments were made on the basis of COSY, HSQC and HMBC spectral data.     

A sensitive liquid chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometric method for lancemaside A and its metabolites in plasma and a pharmacokinetic study in mice

A high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS/MS) method employing electrospray ionization (ESI) has been developed for simultaneous determination of lancemaside A (3-O-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-3β, 16α-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl(1→3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl ester) and its metabolites in mouse plasma. When lancemaside A (60 mg/kg) was orally administered to mice, echinocystic acid was detected in the blood. T_max and C_max of the echinocystic acid were 6.5 ± 1.9 h and 56.7 ± 29.1 ppb. Orally administered lancemaside A was metabolized to lancemaside X (3β, 16α-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl(1→3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl ester) by intestinal microflora in mice, which was metabolized to echinocystic acid by intestinal microflora and/or intestinal tissues. Human intestinal microflora also metabolized lancemaside A to echinocystic acid via lancemaside X. These results suggest that the metabolism by intestinal microflora may play an important role in pharmacological effects of orally administered lancemaside A.     

A new ursane-type triterpenoid glycoside from Centella asiatica leaves modulates the production of nitric oxide and secretion of TNF-α in activated RAW 264.7 cells

One new ursane-type triterpenoid glycoside, asiaticoside G (1), five triterpenoids, asiaticoside (2), asiaticoside F (3), asiatic acid (4), quadranoside IV (5), and 2α,3β,6β-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] ester (6), and four flavonoids, kaempferol (7), quercetin (8), astragalin (9), and isoquercetin (10) were isolated from the leaves of Centella asiatica. Their chemical structures were elucidated by mass, 1D- and 2D-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The structure of new compound 1 was determined to be 2α,3β,23,30-tetrahydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] ester. The anti-inflammatory activities of the isolated compounds were investigated on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Asiaticoside G (1) potently inhibited the production of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-α with inhibition rates of 77.3% and 69.0%, respectively, at the concentration of 100 μM.     

Flavonol glycosides from Chenopodium foliosum Asch

Three new flavonol glycosides, namely 6-methoxykaempferol-3-O-β-gentiobioside, gomphrenol-3-O-β-gentiobioside and gomphrenol-3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-d-glucopyranoside as well as the known patuletin-3-O-β-gentiobioside and spinacetin-3-O-β-gentiobioside were isolated from the aerial parts of Chenopodium foliosum Asch. The structures of the compounds were determined by means of spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, and HRMS). DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the new compounds was low or lacking.     

Structures of the novel α-glucosyl linked diterpene glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana

From the commercial extract of the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, two new minor diterpene glycosides having α-glucosyl linkage were isolated besides the known steviol glycosides including stevioside, steviolbioside, rebaudiosides A–F, rubusoside and dulcoside A. The structures of the two compounds were identified as 13-[(2-O-(3-α-O-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy] ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (1), and 13-[(2-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-3-O-(4-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy] ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid β-d-glucopyranosyl ester (2), on the basis of extensive NMR and MS spectral data as well as chemical studies.     

Nebulosides A–B,novel triterpene saponins from under-ground parts of Gypsophila arrostii Guss. var. nebulosa

A bioassay-guided phytochemical analysis of the triterpene saponins from under ground parts of Gypsophila arrostii var. nebulosa allowed the isolation of two triterpene saponins; nebuloside A, B based on gypsogenin and quillaic acid aglycone. Two new oleanane type triterpenoid saponins (nebuloside A, B) and three known saponins (1–3) were isolated from the root bark of Gypsophila arrostii var. nebulosa. The structures of the two new compounds were elucidated as 3-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-fucopyranosyl ester (nebuloside A) and 3-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β-d-galactopyranosyl(1→3)-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-fucopyranosyl ester (nebuloside B), on the basis of extensive spectral analysis and chemical evidence. Nebuloside A and B showed toxicity enhancing properties on saporin a type-I RIP without causing toxicity by themselves at 15 μg/mL.     

Synthesis of oleanolic acid saponins mimicking components of Chinese folk medicine Di Wu

3,28-Di-O-rhamnosylated oleanolic acid saponins, mimicking components of Chinese folk medicine Di Wu, have been designed and synthesized. One-pot glycosylation and ‘inverse procedure’ technologies have been applied thus significantly simplifying the preparation of desired saponins. The cytotoxic activity of compounds 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-xylopyranosyl]oleanolic acid 28-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] ester (3), 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]oleanolic acid 28-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl- (1→4)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl] ester (4), 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]oleanolic acid 28-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl] ester (5), and 3-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl]oleanolic acid 28-O-[6-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)hexyl] ester (6) was preliminarily evaluated against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells. The natural saponin 3 and designed saponin 4 exhibited comparable moderate cytotoxic activity under our testing conditions.     

A new steroidal saponin from Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum with antiinflammatory and gastroprotective effects

A new steroidal saponin was isolated from the bulbs of Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum. On the basis of chemical conversions and detailed analyses of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra including 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques, its structure was established as 3-[(O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O-[O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)-β-d-galactopyranosyl)oxy]-2,6-dihydroxy-(2α,3β,5α,6β,25R)-spirostane. Results of the present study indicated that the steroidal saponin showed haemolytic effects in the in vitro assays and demonstrated antiinflammatory activity and gastroprotective property using in vivo models.     

Four new steroidal glycosides from Solanum torvum and their cytotoxic activities

Two novel C-22 steroidal lactone saponins, namely solanolactosides A, B (1, 2) and two new spirostanol glycosides, namely torvosides M, N (3, 4) were isolated from ethanol extract of aerial parts of Solanum torvum. Their structures were characterized as solanolide 6-O-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-O-β-d-quinovopyranoside] (1), solanolide 6-O-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-O-β-d-quinovopyranoside] (2), yamogenin 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-O-β-d-glucopyranoside] (3) and neochlorogenin 3-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-O-β-d-glucopyranoside] (4) on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. The cytotoxicities of the saponins (1-4) were evaluated in vitro against a panel of human cancer cell lines. Compounds 3 and 4 showed significant cytotoxic activity with the cell lines.     

Flavonoid glycosides of the black locust tree, Robinia pseudoacacia (Leguminosae)

Four flavone glycosides isolated from extracts of the leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia (Leguminosae) were characterised by spectroscopic and chemical methods as the 7-O-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-(1 → 2)[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-d-glucopyranosides of acacetin (5,7-dihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavone), apigenin (5,7,4′-trihydroxyflavone), diosmetin (5,7,3′-trihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavone) and luteolin (5,7,3′,4′-tetrahydroxyflavone). Assignment of glycosidic ¹H and ¹³C resonances in their NMR spectra was facilitated by ²J_HC correlations detected using the H2BC (heteronuclear two-bond correlation) pulse sequence. Spectroscopic analysis of two known triglycosides, acacetin 7-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (previously unrecorded from this species) and acacetin 7-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 6)]-β-d-glucopyranoside (‘acacetin trioside’), enabled inconsistencies in the literature relating to these structures to be resolved. Comparison of the flavonoid chemistry of leaves and flowers of R. pseudoacacia using LC-UV and LC-MS showed that flavone 7-O-glycosides, particularly of acacetin, predominated in the former, whereas the latter comprised mainly flavonol 3,7-di-O-glycosides, including several examples new to this species. Tissue dependent differences in flavonoid chemistry were also evident from the glycosylation patterns of the compounds.