Triterpene saponins from the roots of Dipsacus asper and their protective effects against the Aβ25–35 induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells

Three new triterpene saponins, named asperosaponin A–C (1–3), together with seven known triterpene saponins (4–10) were isolated from the roots of Dipsacus asper. The structures of compounds 1–3 were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. Compounds 1–3, 6–10 had significantly protective effects in PC12 cells against the Aβ25-35 induced cytotoxicity. All the compounds isolated showed no cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines, A-549, Bel-7402 and BGC-823.