Planta Med 2011; 77 - PG56
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282540

Sesquiterpenoids from the root of Solanum erianthum

Y Chen 1, H Lee 2
  • 1School of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, College of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung City 40402, Taiwan
  • 2School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung City 40402, Taiwan

Solanum erianthum D. Don (Solanaceae) is an evergreen shrub or small tree which is native of South America, widespread in tropical Asia and Oceania [1]. It is a traditional folk medicine used for the treatment of metrorrhagia, edema, gout, carbuncles, eczema, toothache and dermatitis [2]. In a screening program of Formosan plants, the MeOH extract of the root of this plant showed significant cytotoxic activities and was partitioned into n-hexane, EtOAc, n-BuOH and H2O-soluble layers. Investigation of the active EtOAc-soluble layer led to the isolation of a new sesquiterpenoid solanerianone, along with 8 known compounds, including 4 sesquiterpenoids: solavetivone, anhydro-β-rotunol, solafuranone, lycifuranone A; 1 phenylalkanoid: acetovanillone, and 2 steroids: β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. Solavetivone, the major constituent, was reported owing cytotoxicity against OVCAR-3 (IC50: 0.1 mM) [3]. The structure of the new sesquiterpenoid was determined by spectral analyses.

Acknowledgement: This work was kindly supported by a grant (NSC 98–2320-B-039–015-MY3) from the National Science Council of the Republic of China.

References: 1. William GD, Peng CI (1998) Solanaceae in Flora of Taiwan, 2nd edition. Editorial Committee of the Flora of Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan: Vol. 4: 549–581.

2. Tuan NH et al. (2008) Adv Nat Sci 9: 163–169.

3. Syu WJ et al. (2001)J Nat Prod 64: 1232–1233.