Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Antifungal Activity of Friedelanes from Salacia elliptica Roots

Plants from Salacia genus are used in traditional medicine for a wide range of diseases. Previous studies reported bioactive pentacyclic triterpenoids from S. elliptica leaves and branches. In this study, the novel pentacyclic triterpenoid 7α,15α-dihydroxyfriedelan-3-one ( 1 ) was obtained from the roots of Salacia elliptica, along with seven known compounds: friedelan-3-one ( 2 ), friedelan-3β-ol ( 3 ), friedelan-1,3-dione ( 4 ), friedelan-3,15-dione ( 5 ), 15α-hydroxyfriedelan-3-one ( 6 ), 15α,26-dihydroxyfriedelan-3-one ( 7 ), and 26-hydroxyfriedelan-3,15-dione ( 8 ). Additionally, one steroid, spinasterol ( 9 ), was also identified. The chemical structures of all compounds were established through ¹H and ¹³C-NMR. Compound 1 was analysed by additional 2D experiments (HMBC, HSQC, COSY, and NOESY) for complete elucidation. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of compounds 2 , 3 , 6 , 7 and 8 against the A549 lung cancer cells model was evaluated. The flow cytometry analysis revealed a significant cytotoxic activity similar to that exhibited by the triterpenoid lupeol. Additionally, compounds 2 , 3 , 6 , and 7 were tested for in vitro antifungal activity against Candida, Cryptococcus and Sporothrix strains. However, all compounds showed no activity at the tested concentrations.