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Saponins with highly hydroxylated oleanane-type aglycones from Silphium asteriscus L
Milena Masullo1, Lalita Calabria2, Dario Gallotta1
1Dipartimento di Farmacia, Università degli Studi di Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II n.132, I-84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy.
Phytochemistry
|November 26, 2013
Summary
Starry rosinweed (Silphium asteriscus L.) yielded eighteen novel saponins. These compounds were tested for antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines, with some showing weak efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Natural Products Chemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Silphium asteriscus L. (starry rosinweed) is a plant native to the southeastern United States.
- Previous phytochemical studies on S. asteriscus have not reported the isolation of oleanane-type saponins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize novel saponins from the leaves of Silphium asteriscus L.
- To evaluate the antiproliferative activity of the isolated compounds against selected cancer cell lines.
Main Methods:
- Phytochemical investigation using methanolic extraction.
- Structure elucidation via extensive 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and ESIMS.
- Antiproliferative assays against Hela, Jurkat, and DLD-1 cancer cell lines.
Main Results:
- Eighteen new saponins with highly hydroxylated oleanane-type aglycones were isolated.
- The structures of these saponins were fully elucidated using advanced spectroscopic techniques.
- Compounds 1, 5, and 17 exhibited weak antiproliferative activity with IC50 values between 50-75 μM.
Conclusions:
- Silphium asteriscus L. is a source of novel saponins with unique aglycones.
- The isolated saponins possess potential, albeit weak, antiproliferative properties.
- Further research may explore structural modifications for enhanced anticancer activity.
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