Antiinflammatory Triterpenoid Saponins from the Seeds of Aesculus chinensis

Abstract

Phytochemical study of the ethanol extract of the seeds of Aesculus chinensis led to the isolation of a new triterpenoid saponin (6), together with five known triterpenoid saponins (1—5). The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectral data to be 21,28-di-O-acetylprotoaescigenin-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl(1—2)][β-D-glucopyranosyl(1—4)]-β-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (aesculiside A, 6). The antiinflammatory activities of the four main saponins (1—4) were compared with those of total saponin extracts, and single saponins showed more potent activity than total saponin extracts in mice.