Oleanane-type triterpene saponins from Aralia armata leaves and their cytotoxic activity

Two new, aramatosides A and B (1 and 2), together with seven known oleanane-type triterpene saponins (3-9) were isolated from the leaves of Aralia armata. Their structures were determined by combination of HR-ESI-MS, 1 D and 2 D NMR spectral data as well as comparison with the previous literature. Compounds 6-9 exhibited cytotoxic effects towards three human cancer cell lines (HT29, A2058, and A549) with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.01 ± 0.17 to 18.8 ± 1.17 µM. Especially, compound 7 (narcissiflorin) showed significant cytotoxic activity against HT29 and A549 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 2.02 ± 1.65 and 2.01 ± 0.17 µM, respectively, which are smaller than those of positive control irinotecan hydrochloride (IC₅₀ values of 10.3 ± 1.32 and 9.89 ± 0.19 µM).

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.