Anti-inflammatory furostanol saponins from the rhizomes of Smilax china L

Seven new furostanol saponins (1–7), chongrenosides A-G, were isolated from the rhizomes of Smilax china L., together with nine known furostanol saponins (8–16). The structures of the new furostanol saponins (1–7) were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data analyses (1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS) and chemical evidence. Compounds 1–6 and 8–16 were evaluated for TNF-α mRNA expression inhibitory activity on LPS induced RAW264.7 cells. Of them, 1, 4, 6, and 11 inhibited the TNF-α mRNA expression by 88%, 87%, 67%, and 93%, respectively, at the concentration of 10 µM.