New triterpene saponins from the aerial parts of Androsace umbellata

Abstract

Six new oleanane-type triterpene saponins, androsides A–F (1–6), along with two known compounds (7–8), were isolated from the aerial parts of Androsace umbellata. The structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data and acid hydrolysis. The aglycones in 1–5 are novel structures. Cytotoxicity assays using HepG2, HepG2/ADM, MCF-7, MCF-7/ADR and MDA-MB-231 cell lines indicated that 7 and 8, both bearing a 13β,28-epoxy group, were active. Compound 8 was shown to induce apoptosis in the HepG2/ADM cells.