Triterpenoid saponins from Mollugo spergula

Two novel triterpenoid saponins belonging to a modified hopane group, spergulin A [3-O-(beta-D-xylopyranosyl 4-sulphate)-spergulagenin A] (1) and spergulin B [3-O-[alpha-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl]-spergulatriol] (4) were isolated from the aerial part of Mollugo spergula along with spergulacin (2) and spergulacin A (3). Their structures and relative stereochemistry were determined by a combination of 2D-NMR (COSY, TOCSY, HETCOR, NOESY and HMBC) and HR-FAB-MS analysis coupled with strategic chemical and enzymatic transformations.

Trigonella foenum graecum (fenugreek) seed extract as an antineoplastic agent

The antineoplastic effect of Trigonella foenum graecum seed extract has been evaluated in the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) model in Balb-C mice. Intra-peritoneal administration of the alcohol extract of the seed both before and after inoculation of EAC cell in mice produced more than 70% inhibition of tumour cell growth with respect to the control. Treatment with the extract was found to enhance both the peritoneal exudate cell and macrophage cell counts. The extract also produced a significant antiinflammatory effect. We report here the antiinflammatory and antineoplastic effects, of Trigonella foenum graecum seed extract.

Triterpenoid saponins from Mimusops elengi

A novel minor triterpenoid saponin mimusin (3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-2 beta,3 beta,6 beta,23-tetrahydroxyolean- 12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->4)-alpha- L- rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside was isolated from the seeds of Mimusops elengi, in addition to two known triterpenoid saponins, Mi-saponin A and 16 alpha-hydroxy Mi-saponin A. The structure of the minor saponin was established by comparing its 13C NMR and LS-MS linked-scan, ESI-MS data with FAB-MS of the mimusopsin isolated earlier from the same source.

Triterpenoid saponins from Gymnema sylvestre

Besides six known gymnemic acids, four new tritepenoid saponins, gymnemasins A, B, C and D, isolated from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, were identified as 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-22-O- tigloyl- gymnemanol, 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-gymnemanol, 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-22-O-tigloyl-gymnemanol and 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl-gymnemanol, respectively. The aglycone, gymnemanol, which is a new compound, was characterized as 3 beta, 16 beta, 22 alpha, 23, 28-pentahydroxyolean-12-ene.

Triterpenoid saponins of Mimusops elengi

In addition to characterization of taxifolin, alpha-spinasterol glucoside, Mi-glycoside 1, two new triterpenoid saponins mimusopside A and B were isolated from the seeds of Mimusops elengi and were, respectively, defined as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl protobassic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl 16 alpha-hydroxy protobassic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside by a combination of LSIMS, FABMS, 1H and 13C NMR and some strategic chemical transformations.

Anti-inflammatory triterpene saponins of Pithecellobium dulce: characterization of an echinocystic acid bisdesmoside

A new bisdesmodic triterpenoid saponin, dulcin was isolated from the seeds of Pithecellobium dulce and was identified as 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]- 28-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-echinocystic acid. The known oleanolic acid saponin PE, oleanolic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside was also obtained. The structural features were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic methods and some chemical transformations.

Flavonol glycosides from Calotropis gigantea

Besides isolation and characterization of isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-glucopyranoside and taraxasteryl acetate, a new flavonol trisaccharide was isolated from the aerial parts of Calotropis gigantea, and its structure was established as isorhamnetin-3-O-[2-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-6-O-alpha-L-rhamnopy ranosyl]- beta-D-glucopyranoside by a combination of fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy, 1H and 13C NMR spectra and some chemical degradations.

Production of Forskolin in in vitro Cultures of Coleus forskohlii

Shoot tip culture, root organ suspension, and callus culture producing roots were established from shoot tip, root tip, and hypocotyl segments, respectively, on Murashige and Skoog's and White's basal media with or without growth regulators. Forskolin was identified by TLC and HPLC in 60 days old shoot differentiating culture, 30 days old micropropagated plants, and root organ suspension but not in rhizogenic callus. Shoot differentiating culture established in the presence or absence of BAP revealed more or less similar amounts of forskolin as that of the micropropagated plants. Root organ suspension showed traces of forskolin production.

Metabolism of progesterone and testosterone by a Bacillus sp

Microbial transformations by a Bacillus sp. were employed as a means of preparing potentially important derivatives of progesterone and testosterone. Each microbial metabolite was subjected to structure elucidation employing 1H and 13C nmr, mass spectral and cd analysis. Hplc was used for the determination of the percentages of the metabolites formed. The progesterone metabolites were characterised as 14-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (II), 14-hydroxy-5 alpha -pregnane-3,6,20-trione (III), 11 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnane-3, 6,20-trione (IV) and 11 alpha,14-dihydroxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (V). The testosterone analogs were identified as 4-androstene-3,17-dione (VII), 17 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-androstane-3,6-dione (VIII), 14-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,17-dione (IX) and 14, 17 beta-dihydroxy-4-androsten-3-one (X). The availability of the metabolites enabled complete elucidation of their 13C nmr spectra.