Triterpenoid Saponins from the Spikes of Prunella vulgaris.

Three new oleanane-skeleton triterpenoid saponins, 3β,4β,16α-17-carboxy-16,24-dihydroxy-28-norolean-12-en-3-yl 4-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (1), (3β,4β,16α)-17-carboxy-16,24-dihydroxy-28-norolean-12-en-3-yl β-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid methyl ester (2), and (3β,4β)-24-hydroxy-16-oxo-28-norolean-12-en-3-yl 4-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (3), together with eight known constituents, i.e., the oleanane-type triterpenoids 4–6, and the ursane-type triterpenoids 7–11, were isolated from the spikes of Prunella vulgaris. The new structures were established by means of detailed spectroscopic analysis (IR, HR-ESI-MS, 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments). Compounds 1–3 were tested for their inhibition activity against the growth of tumor cell lines; only compound 3 displayed marginal inhibition activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]