Cissatriterpenoids D-L, nine undescribed polyhydroxylated oleanane triterpenoids from Cissampelos pareira var. hirsuta.

Nine undescribed polyhydroxylated oleanane triterpenoids (cissatriterpenoids D-L, 1-9) were isolated from the roots of Cissampelos pareira var. hirsuta. Their structures and absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis (HR-ESI-MS, UV, IR, NMR), and compared with the spectral data reported in the literature. All the compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against MGC-803 and B16F10 cell lines, and inhibitory activity against nitric oxide (NO) release in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Among the tested compounds, compound 3 demonstrated the most potent cytotoxicity against the B16F10 cell line, with an IC50 value of 28.58 μM (etoposide, 23.51 μM). Moreover, it also exhibited the strongest inhibition of NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells with an IC50 value of 17.73 μM, and was equivalent to that of the control drug dexamethasone (17.95 μM, P > 0.05). Compared with etoposide (47.77 μM), compounds 3 and 4 showed more potent cytotoxicities against the MGC-803 cell line with IC50 values of 42.21 μM and 38.28 μM, respectively. The preliminary study of structure-activity relationship indicated that esterification of 28-OH by tiglic acid may enhance the cytotoxic activity against two cell lines and NO inhibition effect in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells of polyhydroxylated oleanane triterpenoids. In contrast, benzoylation of 28-OH was found to increase the cytotoxic activity of those compounds against MGC-803 cell line. These results revealed the potential of polyhydroxylated oleanane triterpenoids as lead compounds for anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory applications.