Three New Cycloartane Triterpenoids from Astragalus bicuspis

Three new cycloartane triterpenoids have been isolated from Astragalus bicuspis Fisch. Their structures were elucidated as 23(R), 24(S), 25(R), 26(S)-16 beta/23,23/26,24/25-triepoxy-26-hydroxy-9,19-cyclolanosta-3,6-dione (1), 6 alpha, 23,24,25-tetraol-16 beta-acetoxy-23(R), 24(R)-9,19-cyclanosta-3one (2), and 6 alpha, 23,24,25-tetraol-16 beta-acetoxy-23(R), 24(R)-9,19-cyclolanosta-3 beta-O-xyloside (3), based on their spectroscopic analysis. All cycloartane tritepenoids exhibited weak cytotoxicities against 3T3 fibroblast cells as compared to the standard drug cycloheximide. Compounds 3 and 4 were also tested for their antileishmanial potential, and a weak activity was observed against promastigotes of Leishmania major.