Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026
08:56
Transient Expression in Nicotiana Benthamiana Leaves for Triterpene Production at a Preparative Scale
Published on: August 16, 2018
Biologically active triterpenoids from Cephalaria ambrosioides
Sofia Pasi1, Nektarios Aligiannis, Harris Pratsinis
1Department of Pharmacognosy and Natural Products Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Planta Medica
|January 20, 2009
Summary
Cephalaria ambrosioides roots yielded a new triterpene and known saponins. These compounds demonstrated significant antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and molluscicidal activities, with some comparable to standard antibiotics and effective against cancer cell lines.
Area of Science:
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cephalaria ambrosioides is a plant source of bioactive compounds.
- Triterpenes and saponins are classes of natural products with diverse biological activities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize compounds from Cephalaria ambrosioides roots.
- To evaluate the antimicrobial, molluscicidal, and in vitro cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of compounds using chromatographic techniques.
- Structure elucidation using Mass Spectrometry (MS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
- Evaluation of biological activities through antimicrobial assays, molluscicidal assays, and cytotoxic assays.
Main Results:
- A new triterpene, 6alpha-hydroxyhederagenic acid (1), and six known compounds were isolated.
- All isolated compounds exhibited potent antimicrobial activity (MIC values 1.80 - 2.50 microg/mL).
- Compounds 3-5 showed in vitro cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines, and compounds 3 and 4 displayed significant molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria Glabrata.
Conclusions:
- The roots of Cephalaria ambrosioides are a rich source of bioactive triterpenes and saponins.
- The isolated compounds possess promising antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and molluscicidal properties.
- Further research into these compounds could lead to the development of new therapeutic agents.
