Anti-inflammatory pentacyclic triterpenes from the stems of Euonymus carnosus

•Six new pentacyclic triterpenes (1-6) were isolated from Euonymus carnosus.•Compounds 1-5 are among the relatively few pentacyclic triterpenes that incorporate a 3α-hydroxy (3α-acetoxy) group.•The inhibitory on LPS-induced NO production in microglia BV2 cells of compounds 1-8 were evaluated.

Three new lupane-type triterpenoids (1-3), three new oleane-type triterpenoids (4-6), as well as two known compounds (7-8) were isolated from Euonymus carnosus. The structures of the compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data analyses, including UV, IR, MS, and NMR experiments. The inhibitory on LPS-induced NO production in microglia BV2 cells of compounds 1-8 were also evaluated. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate abilities to inhibit NO production, with IC50 values of 5.99 and 8.47 μM, respectively.

Graphical abstractThree new lupane-type triterpenoids (1-3) and three new oleane-type triterpenoids (4-6) were isolated from the stems of Euonymus carnosus, together with two known compounds (7-8). In addition, compounds 1-5 are among the relatively few naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenes that incorporate a 3α-hydroxy or 3α-acetoxy group. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate abilities to inhibit NO production, with IC50 values of 5.99 and 8.47 μM, respectively.Download high-res image (122KB)Download full-size image