Triterpene esters of cirsium setosum and their anti-inflammatory activity.

Two new triterpene fatty acid esters, 3 β -palmityloxy-12,27-cyclofriedoolean-14-en-11 α -ol ( 1 ) and 3 β -palmityloxy-19 α -hydroxyursane ( 2 ), together with 3 β -hydroxy-11-oxo-olean-12-enyl palmitate ( 3 ) were isolated from the potent anti-inflammatory active fraction of the petroleum ether-soluble part of Cirsium setosum ethanol extract. Compound 1 was found to be a rare 12,27-cyclopropane triterpenoid. Their structures were determined through spectral data analysis combined with literature reports. Furthermore, in vitro experiment, compounds 1 - 3 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated mouse RAW264.7 macrophages.