Herbicidal and Cytotoxic Constituents from Aralia armata (Wall.) Seem.

Two new triterpenoids, 3β‐hydroxyoleana‐11,13(18)‐diene‐28,30‐dioic acid ( 1 ) and 3‐oxooleana‐11,13(18)‐diene‐28,30‐dioic acid ( 2 ), one novel triterpenoid glycoside, 3β‐O‐(6′‐O‐methyl‐β‐d‐ glucuronopyranosyl)oleana‐11,13(18)‐dien‐28‐oic acid ( 3 ) along with six known compounds ( 4  –  9 ) were isolated from the stem bark of Aralia armata (Wall .) Seem . Their structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic methods. The herbicidal activities of these compounds against Bidens pilosa L., an invasive weed in P. R. China, were evaluated. Compounds 3 , 5, and 6 exhibited more significant herbicidal activities on B. pilosa than the positive‐control pendimethalin. Their possible use as herbicidal chemicals or model compounds deserved more attention. The effects of compounds 1  –  9 on Spodoptera litura cultured cell line Sl‐1 cell proliferation and its morphology were also evaluated. The results indicated that compounds 1  –  5 affected Sl‐1 cell proliferation. Compound 3 showed more obvious proliferation inhibition activities on Sl‐1 cell than the positive‐control rotenone. With regard to the effect on morphology, compound 2 significantly changed Sl‐1 cell, resulting in cell blebbing and vacuole forming. Triterpenoids aremedicinally and agriculturally important, and cytotoxicity of the three new compounds 1  –  3 deserved further studies.