Ursolic acid triterpenoids in Salvia rosmarinus with potent anti-inflammatory activity.

Using the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 inflammation model as a guide, six ursolic acid triterpenoids with potent anti-inflammatory activity were discovered from the anti-inflammatory active fraction of Salvia rosmarinus extract, including two undescribed triterpenoids, 3β,20α,30-trihydroxyursa-12-en-28-oic acid (1) and 3β,20β,30-trihydroxyursa-12-en-28-oic acid (2), one new natural product 2-hydroxy-3-oxoursa-1,12-dien-28-oic acid (3), and three known compounds (4-6). Their structures were identified by spectral analysis and comparison with the literature. In in vitro experiments, compounds 1-6 showed significant inhibitory effects on NO production in mouse RAW264.7 macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide, among which compounds 2 and 5 had the strongest inhibitory activity.