New furostanol saponins with anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities from the rhizomes of Smilax davidiana

•Seven new furostanol glycosides were isolated from the ethanol extract of Smilax davidiana.•The structures of new compounds were determined on the basis of NMR spectroscopy and HR-ESI-MS.•Compounds 3, 5 and 7 were found to have modest anti-inflammatory effects.•Davidianoside F (6) showed activity against MCF-7 and HELA cell lines.

Seven new furostanol saponins have been isolated from the rhizomes of Smilax davidiana. Their structures were established by 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques (1H,1H-COSY, NOESY, HSQC and HMBC), mass spectrometry and comparison with the literature. The isolated compounds were subjected to evaluate anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities in vitro. Compounds 3, 5 and 7 were found to have modest anti-inflammatory effects through suppression of IL-1β production and promote the expression of IL-10 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Davidianoside F (6) showed activity against MCF-7 and HELA cell lines at the concentration of 10.2 µM and 4.3 µM, respectively.

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