title: 5β,19-epoxycucurbitane triterpenoids from Momordica charantia and their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity.
abstract: Five new 5β,19-epoxycucurbitane triterpenoids, taikugausins A-E (1-5), together with 5β,19-epoxy-25-methoxycucurbita-6,23-diene-3β,19-diol (6), have been isolated and characterized from the 70 % EtOH extract of the fresh fruits of Momordica charantia. The chemical structures of compounds 1-6 were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses, especially 2D NMR (HMQC, HMBC, and NOESY) experiments and HRESIMS data. The relationship between NMR chemical shifts and the configuration of C-19 with an OMe group in 5β,19-epoxycucurbitane are described. Among them, compounds 3 and 4 exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory activities by the inhibition of nitric oxide production at the concentration of 10 µg/mL. In addition, 3 and 4 also showed moderate cytotoxicity against WiDr, Hep G2, MCF-7, and HEp-2 human tumor cell lines.
authors.affiliation: R&D Department, Starsci Biotech Co. Ltd., Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liaw
authors.affiliation: Department of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences and Chinese Medicine Resources, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hui-Chi
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Division of Chinese Materia Medica Development, National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ping-Chun
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.affiliation: Division of Chinese Materia Medica Development, National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Li-Jie
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Division of Chinese Materia Medica Development, National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Zhi-Hu
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Endemic Species Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Nantou, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Syh-Yuan
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Pharmacognosy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Feng-Lin
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: Division of Chinese Materia Medica Development, National Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yao-Haur
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D056945:Hep G2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D051379:Mice; D015394:Molecular Structure; D029777:Momordica charantia / Q000737:chemistry*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D012503:Saponins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C000600616:5beta,19-epoxycucurbitane; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D012503:Saponins; D014315:Triterpenes; C000600597:taikugausin A; D009569:Nitric Oxide