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Planta Med 2023; 89(02): 208-217
DOI: 10.1055/a-1896-1098
Natural Product Chemistry & Analytical Studies
Original Papers

Steroidal Saponins from the Rhizomes of Smilax china and Their Inhibitory Effects on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Proinflammatory Cytokines Expression

Yu-Ting Li
1   Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
,
Xiao Feng
1   Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
,
Yunjiang Feng
2   Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
,
Yuanyuan Cheng
3   School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
,
Li-Wen Tian 
1   Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation 2021A1515011094
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Abstract

Four new furostanol saponins (1 – 4) and a new pregane-type saponin (5) along with six known steroidal saponins (6 – 11) were isolated from the rhizomes of Smilax china. The structures of 1 – 5 were elucidated by extensive analysis of NMR and HR-ESI-MS data in addition to enzymatic hydrolysis and other chemical methods. Compounds 1, 4, and 11 showed inhibitory activity against the expression of proinflammatory mediators, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. Compound 1, at a concentration of 20 µM, decreased the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α by 36, 62, 72, and 67%, respectively, which is comparable to that of the positive control dexamethasone.

Key words

Smilax china - Smilacaceae - steroidal saponins - anti-inflammatory activity

Supporting Information

    HR-ESI-MS, 1D NMR, and 2D NMR data of compounds 1 – 5, and 1H NMR data of 1a, 1b, and 3a, acid hydrolysis, sugar analysis, and RT-qPCR analysis are available as Supporting Information.

  • Supporting Information


Publication History

Received: 29 January 2022

Accepted after revision: 17 June 2022

Article published online:
28 September 2022

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