Planta Med 2005; 71(5): 458-463
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-871215
Original Paper
Natural Product Chemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Three New Asterosaponins from the Starfish Culcita novaeguineae and their Bioactivity

Hai-Feng Tang1 , 2 , Yang-Hua Yi1 , Ling Li1 , Peng Sun1 , San-Qi Zhang2 , Yue-Ping Zhao2
  • 1Research Center for Marine Drugs, College of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China
  • 2Department of Pharmacy, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, P. R. China
Further Information

Publication History

Received: July 27, 2004

Accepted: January 6, 2005

Publication Date:
01 June 2005 (online)

Abstract

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the active n-BuOH extract of the starfish Culcita novaeguineae resulted in the isolation of three new sulfated steroidal glycosides (asterosaponins) 1, 2 and 3, as active compounds causing morphological abnormality of Pyricularia oryzae mycelia. Compounds 1 - 3 possess the same pentasaccharide moiety, β-D-fucopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1→4)-[β-D-quinovopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-β-D-quinovopyranosyl, linked to C-6 of 3β-sulfated steroidal aglycones and differ from each other in the side chains. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectral studies and chemical evidences. Saponins 1 and 3 showed significant cytotoxicity against two cancer cell lines (IC50 values for 1 : 3.57 μg/mL [K-562], 2.55 μg/mL [BEL-7402]; for 3 : 3.75 μg/mL [K-562], 1.89 μg/mL [BEL-7402]), as well as hemolytic activity to rabbit erythrocytes (ED50 values: 16 and 31 μg/mL, respectively), while 2 was inactive in these bioassays.

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Dr. Hai-Feng Tang

Research Center for Marine Drugs

College of Pharmacy

Second Military Medical University

325 GuoHe Road

Shanghai 200433

People’s Republic of China

Phone: +86-21-6538-4988

Fax: +86-21-6548-3662

Email: tanghaifeng71@126.com