Three new triterpenoid saponins from Aralia echinocaulis

OBJECTIVE: To study the active ingredients in the root bark of Aralia echinocaulis. METHODS: Three triterpenoid saponins were separated from the 70% ethanol extracts and purified by column chromatography and their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Compound 1 and 3 were evaluated for antioxidant activity by the in vitro DPPH free radical scavenging ability and the protective effect of OH(−) induced DNA oxidative damage. RESULTS: Compound 1 was a new type of triterpenoid saponin, named as echinocaulisaglycone 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (echinocaulisaponin A), and it had good antioxidant activity. Compound 2 was similar to compound 1, named as 1-hydroxyl-echinocaulisaglycone 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (echinocaulisaponin B). Compound 3 was also a new type of triterpenoid saponin, named as echinocaulisaglycone II 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1″→4′)-β-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid (echinocaulisaponin C), and its antioxidant activity was weaker than compound 1. CONCLUSION: In this study, three new compounds were discovered and two of them were carried out in vitro anti-oxidation studies, laying the foundation for further research on the treatment of related diseases (cardiovascular disease, arthritis, age-related macular degeneration, etc.) through anti-oxidation or quenching free radical function.