Antiplasmodial triterpenes from twigs of Gardenia saxatilis

Ten triterpenes (1-10) were isolated and identified from the twigs of Gardenia saxatilis (Rubiaceae) and were subjected to antiplasmodial evaluation against the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. The first six compounds, lupenone (1), lupeol (2), betulinic acid (3), oleanolic acid (4), ursolic acid (5), and winchic acid (27-O-feruloyloxybetulinic acid) (6) were inactive in the assay. The other four compounds, messagenic acid A (7) and messagenic acid B (8), the 27-O-p-(Z)- and 27-O-p-(E)-coumarate esters of betulinic acid, and a mixture of uncarinic acid E (27-O-p-(E)-coumaroyloxyoleanolic acid) (9) and 27-O-p-(E)-coumaroyloxyursolic acid (10) exhibited antiplasmodial activity, with the IC50 values of 1.5, 3.8 and 2.9 microg/ml, respectively. The results indicated that the p-coumarate moieties at the 27-position, both the cis and trans isomers, contributed to antiplasmodial activity. Introduction of a methoxyl group to the 3-position of the p-coumarate moiety to give a ferulate moiety resulted in loss of activity.

Triterpenoidal constituents of the leaves of Carissa carandas

Studies undertaken on the fresh leaves of Carissa carandas have led to the isolation of four pentacyclic triterpenoids (1-4) including one new constituent carissin (1) and two hitherto unreported compounds 2 and 3. The structure of the new triterpenoid has been elucidated as 3beta-hydroxy-27-E-feruloyloxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid. Compelete assignment of the protons of 2 has also been made based on 2D NMR studies.