New ursane-type triterpenoid saponins from the stem bark of Schefflera heptaphylla

• The chemical constituents of Schefflera heptaphylla were investigated.
• Five new ursane-type triterpenoid saponins were isolated and identified.
• Genins of all new saponins are reported for the first time.
• All new saponins except 1 showed weak anti-inflammatory activities.

Phytochemical investigation on the stem bark of Schefflera heptaphylla led to the isolation of five new ursane-type triterpenoid saponins (1–5). Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical methods. It is noteworthy in this study that the genins of all compounds are reported for the first time. All compounds isolated from this plant were evaluated for their inhibitory activities on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells, and compounds 2 and 5 showed weak anti-inflammatory activities under their non-cytotoxic concentrations.

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