Triterpene saponins from Clematis mandshurica and their antiproliferative activity.

Six new triterpene saponins, clematomandshurica saponins F-K (1-6), together with a known compound (7), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Clematis mandshurica. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and hydrolysis. Compounds 5-7 exhibited antiproliferative effects against PC-3 human prostate cancer cells with GI50 values of 1.

Saponins with neuroprotective effects from the roots of Pulsatilla cernua.

Four new oleanene-type triterpenoid saponins together with six known saponins were isolated from the roots of Pulsatilla cernua and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data, including 2D NMR spectra and chemical evidence. Among these one of the aglycones (gypsogenin) is reported for the first time from this genus. Some of these compounds showed significant neuroprotective effects against the cytotoxicity induced by β-amyloid(25-35) (Aβ(25-35)) on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.