Hepatoprotective triterpenes from traditional Tibetan medicine Potentilla anserina

A methanol extract from the tuberous roots of Potentilla anserina (Rosaceae) exhibited hepatoprotective effects against d-galactosamine (d-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injuries in mice. Six triterpene 28-O-monoglucopyranosyl esters, potentillanosides A-F, were isolated from the extract along with 32 known compounds, including 15 triterpenes. The structures of potentillanosides A-F were determined on the basis of spectroscopic properties and chemical evidence. Four ursane-type triterpene 28-O-monoglycosyl esters, potentillanoside A (IC50=46.7μM), 28-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl pomolic acid (IC50=9.5μM), rosamutin (IC50=35.5μM), and kaji-ichigoside F1 (IC50=14.1μM), inhibited d-GalN-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultured mouse hepatocytes. Among these four triterpenes, potentillanoside A, rosamutin, and kaji-ichigoside F1 exhibited in vivo hepatoprotective effects at doses of 50-100mg/kg, p.o. The mode of action was ascribable to the reduction in cytotoxicity caused by d-GalN.