Activity of lupane triterpenoids from Maytenus species as inhibitors of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2

In the present study, we report that three new lupane triterpenes (1–3), in addition to 16 known ones (4–19), were isolated from the root bark of Maytenus cuzcoina and the leaves of Maytenus chiapensis. Their structures were elucidated by spectral analysis, including homonuclear and heteronuclear correlation NMR experiments (COSY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC). The natural compounds and derivatives 6a, 6b, 9a, and 9b have been tested for potential anti-inflammatory activity, and several compounds including 3-epicalenduladiol (2), 11α-hydroxy-glochidone (3), rigidenol (6), acetoxy-rigidenol (6a), 11α-acetoxy-30-chloro-3-oxo-lup-20(29)-ene (6b), betulin (9), 28-acetoxy-betulin (9a), epibetulin (12), epibetulinic acid (13), and betulonic acid (16) exhibited potent inhibitory effects on NO and prostaglandin E2 production in mouse macrophages (RAW 264.7) stimulated with bacterial endotoxin. The structure–activity relationship is discussed in detail.

Three new lupane triterpenes, in addition to 16 known ones, were isolated from Maytenus species. These compounds and four derivatives have been tested for potential anti-inflammatory activity. Some of them exhibited potent inhibitory effects on NO and prostaglandin E2 production in mouse macrophages.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide