Erythrosaponins A-J, triterpene saponins from the roots and stem bark of Gardenia erythroclada.

Ten undescribed triterpene saponins, named erythrosaponins A-J, along with one known analogue were isolated from the roots and stem bark of Gardenia erythroclada. Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR analyses. Absolute structure of erythrosaponin A was unequivocally affirmed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines (KB and HeLa S-3) and their anti-inflammatory activity based on the inhibition of NO production in RAW264.7 cells. Erythrosaponin D showed moderate cytotoxicity against KB and HeLa S-3 cells with IC50 values of 25.8 and 29.5 μM, respectively. Erythrosaponins D, F, G, I and J showed moderate anti-inflammatory with IC50 values in the range of 63.0-81.4 μM.