Cytotoxic saponins from Schefflera rotundifolia

Eight new oleanane and lupane saponins (1-8) as well as two new benzyl glycosides (9 and 10) were isolated from the aerial parts of Schefflera rotundifolia (Ten) Frodin (Araliaceae) together with two known benzyl glycosides. Their structures were established using 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The antiproliferative activity of all compounds was evaluated using three continuous murine and human culture cell lines J774.A1, HEK-293, and WEHI-164. Compounds 7 and 8, having betulinic acid as aglycone, were the most active constituents.