A new resource of hepatic protectant, nor-oleanane triterpenoid saponins from the fruit of Stauntonia brachyanthera

• The fruits of Stauntonia brachyanthera provided a potential resource of hepatic protectant.
• Eight new nor-oleanane type triterpenoid saponins and nine known compounds were isolated.
• Nine compounds showed hepatoprotective activities against DL-galactosamine-induced toxicity.
• Compound 15 might be a new safe leading compound for further investigation as hepatoprotectants.

Stauntonia brachyanthera Hand-Mazz., an evergreen shrub belonging to the family of Lardizabalaceae, is traditionally used in China to treat various diseases. Its fruit, zhuyaozi, is extremely popular in the southwest of China because of its fresh taste and abundant nutrients. The chemical study on this fruit resulted in the isolation of eight new nor-oleanane type triterpenoid saponins, brachyanthera acid A, brachyantheraoside A1–A5 and brachyantheraoside B6, B9, along with nine known compounds. Their structures were determined by extensive 1D and 2D NMR experiments along with HRESIMS analysis. Nine compounds including four new ones showed hepatoprotective activities against DL-galactosamine-induced toxicity in WB-F344 cells, with their survival rates being very close to that of bicyclol. Additionally, the results of the inhibitory study of brachyantheraoside A5 (15) on 4-MU glucuronidation indicated its less probability leading to drug–drug interaction, which revealed that brachyantheraoside A5 and its analogues might be new safe leading compounds for further investigation as hepatoprotectants.