A new cycloartane-type triterpenoid saponin from Astragalus persicus: Structure elucidation, cytotoxic evaluation, and chemotaxonomic significance

Astragalus species are among the richest sources of cycloartane-type triterpenoid saponins, a class of natural products recognized for their structural diversity, a wide range of biological activities, and chemotaxonomic importance. In the present study, a new cycloartane-type triterpenoid saponin ( 1 ), together with seven known cycloartane-type triterpenoid saponins ( 2–8) , was isolated from Astragalus persicus (DC.) Fisch. & C.A. Mey. The structure of the new compound was established by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including 1D and 2 D NMR experiments and high-resolution mass spectrometry, whereas the known compounds were identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against HepG2, MiaPaCa-2, MCF-7, A2058, and A549 human cancer cell lines and exhibited generally weak cytotoxic effects under the tested conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first report on the isolation and structural characterization of secondary metabolites from A. persicus . The isolation of a previously undescribed cycloartane-type triterpenoid saponin broadens the phytochemical knowledge of this species, expands the structural diversity of cycloartane-type triterpenoid saponins reported within the genus Astragalus , and provides valuable chemotaxonomic information.