Two new triterpenoid saponins from Aralia elata var. glabrescens (Franch. & Sav.) Pojark. leaves.

Two novel triterpenoids, named congmuyenoside F-G (1-2), and twelve known compounds (3-14), including three compounds (6, 7, 9) isolated from Aralia elata var. glabrescens (Franch. & Sav.) Pojark. for the first time, were identified from the total saponin fraction of Aralia elata leaves. Using AB-8 macroporous adsorption resin, reversed-phase ODS column chromatography, preparative HPLC and other separation techniques, triterpenoid saponins were obtained. The structures of two novel compounds were identified using extensive spectral data. In addition, the inhibitory effects of total saponin fraction and compounds 1-8 on the growth of 4T1, Hep G2, RKO, and H1299 tumour cell lines were tested by MTT assay, and the results showed that compounds 1 and 2 exhibited no inhibitory effect on the growth of the four tumour cell lines, whereas compound 5 exhibited inhibitory effects on all four cell lines with IC50 values of 23.69 ± 0.75, 68.00 ± 12.86, 27.96 ± 1.62, and 26.12 ± 1.67 μM, respectively.