Dammarane-type saponins from the leaves of Sapium sebiferum with inhibitory effects on NO production

Chromatographic separation of the leaves of Sapium sebiferum afforded two previously undescribed dammarane-type triterpenoid glycosides, sapibisides A and B (1 and 2), together with 12 related known analogues (3–14). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by extensive analysis of HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data and comparison with previously reported data. The inhibitory activities of compounds 1–14 against LPS-induced NO production in RAW264.7 macrophages were evaluated. Compounds 1, 3, 9, and 13 exhibited moderate inhibitory activity, with IC50 values ranging from 31.2 to 45.7 μM, compared to the positive control, dexamethasone, which showed an IC50 value of 13.6 μM.