Cytotoxic triterpenoid saponins from Lysimachia foenum-graecum

Eleven oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins, foegraecumosides A-K, and eight known ones, were isolated from the aerial parts of Lysimachia foenum-graecum. Their structures were elucidated by spectro-scopic data analyses and chemical methods. All isolated saponins were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines (NCI-H460, MGC-803, HepG2, and T24). Seven saponins containing the aglycone cyclamiretin A exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against all tested human cancer cell lines, with IC50 values of 9.3-24.5 mu M. Simultaneously, the cytotoxic activities of foegraecumosides A and B, lysichriside A, ardisiacrispins A and B, cyclaminorin, and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 -> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 -> 4)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-cyclamiretin A were tested on drug-resistant lung cancer cell lines (A549 and A549/CDDP, respectively). Ardisiacrispin B displayed moderate cytotoxicity against A549/CDDP, with an IC50 value of 8.7 mu M and a resistant factor (RF) of 0.9. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.