New Polyhydroxylated Furostanol Saponins with Inhibitory Action against NO Production from Tupistra chinensis Rhizomes

Abstract

Two furostanol saponins were obtained from the rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis Bak. Their structures were determined as 5β-furost-Δ²⁵⁽²⁷⁾-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β,7α,22ξ,26-octaol-6-one-26-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 5β-furost-Δ²⁵⁽²⁷⁾-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β,6β,7α,22ξ,26-nonaol-26-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence. Both compounds displayed marked inhibitory action against NO production in rat abdomen macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 40 μg/mL.

Introduction

Kai-Kou-Jian, the Chinese name for rhizomes of Tupistra chinensis Bak., is reputed in Shennongjia Forest District, a National Natural Protection Region of China, as a folk medicine for its anti-inflammatory effects [1,2]. NO acts as an inter-and intracellular messenger molecule in many cell types and overproduction of NO plays a central role in inflammatory responses [3,4]. After exposure to endogenous and exogenous stimulators, overproduction of NO can be induced quantitatively in macrophages. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a component of Gram-negative bacteria, and the induction of NO overproduction by LPS has been demonstrated [5,6]. Therefore, the development of agents capable of blocking LPS-induced NO overproduction can be regarded as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of inflammation. In the course of our search for anti-inflammatory agents from the native folk medicines of Shennongjia Forest District [7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17], two new furostanol saponins were isolated and their structures were elucidated by means of chemical and spectroscopic methods. Although studies on the lipophilic constituents, including the sapogenins of this plant, were reported in several papers [18,19,20,21,22], the steroidal saponins, especially those showing anti-inflammatory activities, were hardly elucidated yet [10]. This paper reports the structural elucidation of two steroidal saponins from this plant and their inhibition of NO production.

Results and Discussion

Compound 1 was obtained as a white amorphous powder, mp 170~172°C and : -60.7° (CH₃OH; c 0.94). Positive coloration reactions were observed when 1 was subjected to Ehrlich, Molish and Liebermann-Buchard tests, which suggested that 1 had a furostanol saponin skeleton. Its molecular formula was established as C₃₃H₅₂O₁₅ by its HR-FAB-MS spectrum in positive ion mode, which showed a quasi-molecular ion peak at m/z 711.3208 [M+Na]⁺ (calcd. 711.3204 for C₃₃H₅₂O₁₅Na). The molecular formula was further confirmed by the broad band and DEPT ¹³C-NMR spectra, which showed 33 signals comprising three methyl, eight methylene, sixteen methine and six quaternary carbons (Table 1). The downfield signal at δ 210.02 could be assigned as a carbonyl carbon and the presence of an olefinic bond could be deduced from a quaternary signal at δ 144.12 and a methylene signal at δ 112.73. The hemiketal carbon in the aglycone could be inferred by the signal at δ 110.79 [23]. A downfield signal at δ 80.78 could be assigned to the carbon bearing hydroxyl group located at furan ring of aglycone [24]. A methylene signal at δ 71.60 is a typical glycosidation carbon neighboring to an olefinic bond [25], ascribable to C-26 of the side chain. A methine carbon signal at δ 60.70 could be assigned to C-17 of aglycone. The presence of three methyl groups could be inferred by signals at δ 14.90, 10.87 and 14.00, respectively. The ¹H-NMR data of 1 contained a methenyl proton at δ 4.68 (m), a doublet methyl group at δ 1.07 (d, J = 6.5 Hz) and two singlet methyl groups at δ 0.88 and 1.08 (each s), two typical protons bonded to ending olefinic carbon at δ 5.20 and 5.11 (each 1H, br s), attributable to a steroidal aglycone moiety [26]. Furthermore, the furostanol glycosidic nature of 1 was confirmed by the strong absorption bands at 3410 and 1050 cm^-1 in the IR spectrum, and the signal due to semiketal carbon at δ110.79 in the ¹³C-NMR spectrum [23]. Upon acid hydrolysis of 1 with 2.0 mol/L HCl, only glucose was detected on thin layer chromatography and paper chromatography in the hydrolyzed product. Besides the spectral data due to aglycone, a group of downfield proton signals due to a hexose moiety were observed at δ 4.51 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 3.43 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 3.48 (1H, m), 3.53 (1H, t, J = 9.0 Hz), 3.35 (1H, dd, J = 9.0, 8.0 Hz), 3.87 (1H, d, J = 12.5 Hz) and 3.76 (1H, dd, J = 12.5, 8.0 Hz) in the ¹H-NMR spectrum, and the corresponding carbon signals were observed at δ 100.56, 74.01,75.34, 69.24, 75.41 and 60.33 in the HMQC spectrum. The signal due to the anomeric carbon at δ 100.56 showed a correlation with the signal due to H-26 at δ 4.41, and the signal due to the anomeric proton at δ 4.51 showed a correlation with the signal due to C-26 at δ 71.60 in the HMBC spectrum, which indicated that the sugar moiety was attached to C-26 of aglycone. Comparison of the ¹³C-NMR spectral data of 1 with those of 5β-furost-Δ²⁵⁽²⁷⁾-en-22-methoxyl-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β,7α,26-octaol-6-one 26-O-β-D-glucopyranoside [3] suggested that their chemical shifts were in good agreement, except for those due to C-20, C-22 and C-23, which resulted from the methylation of 22-hydroxyl group. Accordingly, 1 was identified as 5β-furost-Δ²⁵⁽²⁷⁾-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β,7α,22ξ,26-octaol-6-one 26-O-β-D-glucopyranoside. This structure was additionally confirmed by 2D NMR experiments, including ¹H-¹H COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC.

Figure 1. Structures of compounds 1 and 2.

Figure 1. Structures of compounds 1 and 2.

Compound 2 was obtained as a white powder, mp 178~180°C and : -27.0° (CH₃OH; c 0.59). A skeleton of furostanol saponin was inferred by the positive coloration reactions of 1 with Ehrlich, Molish and Liebermann-Buchard reagents. This skeleton was confirmed by the strong absorption bands at 3406 cm^-1 and 1056 cm^-1 in the IR spectrum and the signal due to a semiketal carbon (C-22) at δ 111.34 in the ¹³C-NMR spectrum [23]. Its molecular formula was deduced as C₃₃H₅₄O₁₅ from its HR-FAB-MS spectrum in positive ion mode, which showed a quasi-molecular ion peak at m/z 713.3367 [M+Na]⁺ (calcd. 713.3360 for C₃₃H₅₄O₁₅Na). This formula was in good agreement with the broad band and DEPT ¹³C-NMR spectra, which showed 33 signals containing three methyl, eight methylene, seventeen methine and five quaternary carbons (Table 1). A downfield signal due to methine carbon at δ 81.52 showed correlation with a downfield signal at δ_H 4.66, attributable to H-16, which showed a correlation with semiketal signal at δ 111.34 in the HMBC spectrum. The presence of a terminal olefinic bond was inferred by the signal due to a quaternary carbon at δ 144.67, as well as the signal due to a methylene carbon at δ 113.26, which showed correlations with two olefinic proton signals at δ 5.20 and 5.18 (each 1H, br s) in the HMQC spectrum. A methylene carbon signal at δ 71.96 showed correlation with signals at δ_H 4.41 (1H, d, J = 13.0 Hz) and 4.25 (1H, d, J =13.0 Hz), ascribable to H-26. H-26 showed connectivity with an anomeric carbon signal at δ 101.10 and the olefinic carbon signal at δ 144.67 in the HMBC spectrum. A β-D-glucopyranosyl moiety was inferred by the facts that a group of proton signals at δ 4.51 (1H, d, J = 8.0 Hz), 3.43 (1H, dd, J = 10.5, 8.0 Hz), 3.47 (1H, m), 3.54 (1H, t, J = 9.0 Hz), 3.35 (1H, dd, J = 9.0, 8.0 Hz), 3.97 (1H, d, J = 12.5 Hz) and 3.77 (1H, dd, J = 12.5, 8.0 Hz) showed correlations with a group of carbon signals at δ 101.10, 73.78, 75.52, 69.29, 75.94 and 60.88, respectively, in the HMQC spectrum. This group of proton signals showed correlations with each other in the TOCSY spectrum.

Table 1. ¹³C- (125 MHz) and ¹H- (500 MHz) NMR Data of 1 and 2 (in CD₃OD, δ in ppm).

Position	1			2
	13C	DEPT	1H (J, Hz)	13C	DEPT	1H (J, Hz)
1	74.08	CH	3.95, d, (2.0)	77.01	CH	3.88, br s
2	65.68	CH	3.97, d, (2.0)	65.24	CH	3.90, br s
3	72.97	CH	4.22, d, (3.5)	72.15	CH	4.18, d, (3.0)
4	68.89	CH	5.03, d, (3.5)	68.48	CH	4.43, d, (3.0)
5	84.86	C		77.93	C
6	210.02	C		73.20	CH	4.80, br s
7	72.66	CH	3.53, d, (9.0)	69.78	CH	4.12, d, (2.5)
8	36.69	CH	2.18, br t, (9.0)	33.03	CH	2.16, m
9	40.19	CH	2.20, br t, (9.0)	36.81	CH	2.31, m
10	49.00	C		45.41	C
11	20.50	CH2	1.38, m	20.35	CH2	1.36, m
12	38.93	CH2	1.60, m; 1.22, m	38.55	CH2	1.60, td, (13.0, 5.0); 1.21, td, (13.0, 5.0)
13	39.77	C		39.62	C
14	47.76	CH	1.96, m	48.76	CH	1.96, m
15	29.69	CH2	2.14, m; 1.48, m	30.61	CH2	2.15, m; 1.45, m
16	80.78	CH	4.68, m	81.52	CH	4.66, m
17	60.70	CH	1.66, m	61.37	CH	1.66, m
18	14.90	CH3	0.88, s	15.42	CH3	0.89, s
19	10.87	CH3	1.08, s	14.15	CH3	1.39, s
20	40.19	CH	1.82, m	40.34	CH	1.83, m
21	14.00	CH3	1.07, d, (6.5)	14.57	CH3	1.08, d, (6.5)
22	110.79	C		111.34	C
23	35.09	CH2	1.87, m; 1.63, m	35.64	CH2	1.85, m; 1.62, m
24	26.29	CH2	2.28, m; 1.98, m	26.82	CH2	2.30, m; 1.95, m
25	144.12	C		144.67	C
26	71.60	CH2	4.41, d, (12.5, H-ax); 4.25, d, (12.5, H-eq)	71.96	CH2	4.41, d, (13.0, H-ax); 4.25, d, (13.0, H-eq)
27	112.73	CH2	5.20, br s, H-a; 5.11, br s, H-b	113.26	CH2	5.20, br s, H-a; 5.11, br s, H-b
Glc
1	100.56	CH	4.51, d, (8.0)	101.10	CH	4.51, d, (8.0)
2	74.01	CH	3.43, br d, (8.0)	73.78	CH	3.43, dd, (10.5, 8.0)
3	75.34	CH	3.48, m	75.52	CH	3.47, m
4	69.24	CH	3.53, t, (9.0)	69.29	CH	3.54, t, (9.0)
5	75.41	CH	3.35, ddd, (9.0, 5.5, 2.5)	75.94	CH	3.35, ddd, (9.0, 5.5, 2.2)
6	60.33	CH2	3.87, dd, (12.5, 2.5); 3.76, dd, (12.5, 5.5)	60.88	CH2	3.88,dd, (12.5, 2.2); 3.77, dd, (12.5, 5.5)

Table 1. ¹³C- (125 MHz) and ¹H- (500 MHz) NMR Data of 1 and 2 (in CD₃OD, δ in ppm).

Position	1			2
	13C	DEPT	1H (J, Hz)	13C	DEPT	1H (J, Hz)
1	74.08	CH	3.95, d, (2.0)	77.01	CH	3.88, br s
2	65.68	CH	3.97, d, (2.0)	65.24	CH	3.90, br s
3	72.97	CH	4.22, d, (3.5)	72.15	CH	4.18, d, (3.0)
4	68.89	CH	5.03, d, (3.5)	68.48	CH	4.43, d, (3.0)
5	84.86	C		77.93	C
6	210.02	C		73.20	CH	4.80, br s
7	72.66	CH	3.53, d, (9.0)	69.78	CH	4.12, d, (2.5)
8	36.69	CH	2.18, br t, (9.0)	33.03	CH	2.16, m
9	40.19	CH	2.20, br t, (9.0)	36.81	CH	2.31, m
10	49.00	C		45.41	C
11	20.50	CH2	1.38, m	20.35	CH2	1.36, m
12	38.93	CH2	1.60, m; 1.22, m	38.55	CH2	1.60, td, (13.0, 5.0); 1.21, td, (13.0, 5.0)
13	39.77	C		39.62	C
14	47.76	CH	1.96, m	48.76	CH	1.96, m
15	29.69	CH2	2.14, m; 1.48, m	30.61	CH2	2.15, m; 1.45, m
16	80.78	CH	4.68, m	81.52	CH	4.66, m
17	60.70	CH	1.66, m	61.37	CH	1.66, m
18	14.90	CH3	0.88, s	15.42	CH3	0.89, s
19	10.87	CH3	1.08, s	14.15	CH3	1.39, s
20	40.19	CH	1.82, m	40.34	CH	1.83, m
21	14.00	CH3	1.07, d, (6.5)	14.57	CH3	1.08, d, (6.5)
22	110.79	C		111.34	C
23	35.09	CH2	1.87, m; 1.63, m	35.64	CH2	1.85, m; 1.62, m
24	26.29	CH2	2.28, m; 1.98, m	26.82	CH2	2.30, m; 1.95, m
25	144.12	C		144.67	C
26	71.60	CH2	4.41, d, (12.5, H-ax); 4.25, d, (12.5, H-eq)	71.96	CH2	4.41, d, (13.0, H-ax); 4.25, d, (13.0, H-eq)
27	112.73	CH2	5.20, br s, H-a; 5.11, br s, H-b	113.26	CH2	5.20, br s, H-a; 5.11, br s, H-b
Glc
1	100.56	CH	4.51, d, (8.0)	101.10	CH	4.51, d, (8.0)
2	74.01	CH	3.43, br d, (8.0)	73.78	CH	3.43, dd, (10.5, 8.0)
3	75.34	CH	3.48, m	75.52	CH	3.47, m
4	69.24	CH	3.53, t, (9.0)	69.29	CH	3.54, t, (9.0)
5	75.41	CH	3.35, ddd, (9.0, 5.5, 2.5)	75.94	CH	3.35, ddd, (9.0, 5.5, 2.2)
6	60.33	CH2	3.87, dd, (12.5, 2.5); 3.76, dd, (12.5, 5.5)	60.88	CH2	3.88,dd, (12.5, 2.2); 3.77, dd, (12.5, 5.5)

Upon acid hydrolysis of 2 with 2.0 mol/L HCl, only glucose was detected on thin layer chromatography and paper chromatography in the hydrolyzed product. The comparison of ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectral data of 2 with those of 1 showed that both of chemical shifts were in good agreement, except for those due to A and B rings, especially for C-5, C-6, C-7, C-8, C-9, C-10 and C-19. The carbonyl signal at δ_C 210.02 in the ¹³C-NMR spectrum of 1 was not found in the ¹³C-NMR spectrum of 2, whereas, a methine carbon signal at δ_C 73.20 was observed in the ¹³C-NMR spectrum of 2, which suggested that a hydroxyl group be substituted at C-6 of 2. C-6 showed correlation with a downfield proton signal at δ 4.80 in the HMQC spectrum, which could be assigned to H-6. The H-6 showed connectivity with H-8 at δ 2.16 in the NOESY spectrum, which indicated that 6-hyroxyl group was oriented at beta position. The deduction above was confirmed by a good agreement of ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectral data due to A-D rings with those of compound 5 [27]. Thus, 2 was identified as 5β-furost-Δ²⁵⁽²⁷⁾-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β,6β,7α,22ξ,26-nonaol 26-O-β-D-glucopyranoside.

Biological activity

Extracts of Tupistra chinensis rhizomes showed biological effects on tumors [28], phlegm [29], colonitis [30], platelets [31], pains [32], etc. As a folk medicine, it was used to ease pharyngitis and faucitis in Shennongjia Forest District of China [33]. In our experiments, the inhibition of NO production in macrophages of the rat abdomen induced by LPS (lipopolysaccharide) by some extracts and compounds 1 and 2 from Tupistra chinensis rhizomes was observed. Results showed that samples observed exerted marked inhibitory effects on NO production at a doses ranging from 20 to 40 μg/mL (see Table 2).

Table 2. The inhibitory effects of extracts and compounds 1 and 2 on NO production ( ±S, n= 8).

Groups	Dosages (μg/mL)	NO content μmol/L
Blank a)	—		53.62 ± 7.83
Model b)	—		147.35 ± 15.20
Aspirin c)	40		106.86 ± 4.15 ** g)
n-Butanol soluble fraction d)	20		110.29 ± 58.08 **
Water soluble fraction e)	20		94.61 ± 26.38 **
60% methanolic eluate f)	20		85.78 ± 41.87 **
Compound 1	40		87.34 ± 7.33 **
Compound 2	40		108.34 ± 11.49 **

a) The blank was the solution without adding cells. b) Control was physiological saline solution. c) Aspirin was used as a positive control. d), e), f) see the experimental section. g) Mean value is significantly different (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01) from the control.

Table 2. The inhibitory effects of extracts and compounds 1 and 2 on NO production ( ±S, n= 8).

Groups	Dosages (μg/mL)	NO content μmol/L
Blank a)	—		53.62 ± 7.83
Model b)	—		147.35 ± 15.20
Aspirin c)	40		106.86 ± 4.15 ** g)
n-Butanol soluble fraction d)	20		110.29 ± 58.08 **
Water soluble fraction e)	20		94.61 ± 26.38 **
60% methanolic eluate f)	20		85.78 ± 41.87 **
Compound 1	40		87.34 ± 7.33 **
Compound 2	40		108.34 ± 11.49 **

a) The blank was the solution without adding cells. b) Control was physiological saline solution. c) Aspirin was used as a positive control. d), e), f) see the experimental section. g) Mean value is significantly different (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01) from the control.

Conclusions

Two new polyhydroxylated furostanol saponins were characterized as 5β-furost-Δ²⁵⁽²⁷⁾-en-1β,2β,3β,4β,5β, 7α,22α,26-octaol-6-one 26-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1) and 5β-furost-Δ²⁵⁽²⁷⁾-en-1β,2β,3β, 4β,5β,6β,7α,22α,26-nonaol 26-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2). Both compounds displayed marked inhibitory action against NO production in macrophages of the rat abdomen induced by LPS at 40 μg/mL.

Experimental

General

Column chromatography was carried out using silica gel (Qingdao Ocean Chemical Company, 200–300 mesh). TLC was performed with precoated silica gel G-25-UV 254 plates and detection was done at 254 nm, and by spraying with ceric sulphate in 10% H₂SO₄. The IR spectra were recorded on a Nicolet FT360 spectrometer. Optical rotations were measured on a Perkin-Elmer 241 spectropolarimeter using a 10-cm cell tube. Mass spectra (HRFAB-MS and ESI-MS) were measured in a fast atom bombardment mode using a VG AUTO Spec-300 mass spectrometer and ions are given in m/z. The ¹H-, ¹³C- and 2D-NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker AM-500 spectrometer in CD₃OD. Chemical shifts are given in ppm (δ), relative to tetramethylsilane as an internal standard, and scalar coupling reported in hertz. HPLC was performed using a Varian ProStar 1510 system.

Plant Material

The rhizomes of T. chinensis Baker was collected from Muyu town of Shennongjia Forest District in August 2004 and identified by Dr Fa-Ju Chen, from the Hubei Key Laboratory of Natural Products Research and Development, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, P.R. China, where a voucher specimen has been deposited.

Extraction and Isolation

Air dried whole plant (7.8 kg) was exhaustively extracted with refluxing methanol (20 L × 5). The extract was evaporated in vacuo to yield a residue which was freeze-dried, affording a powder (3,659 g), which was divided into petroleum-ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol (1,383 g) and water soluble fractions (1,889 g), respectively. A portion of the water soluble extract (150 g out of the total 1,889 g) was dissolved in water (2.0 L), and then subjected to macroporous resin column chromatography eluting with water and 60% methanol, respectively. The methanol part was reduced to dryness, giving rise to a white powder (7.0 g). The white powder was separated by using column chromatography over Sephadex LH-20 eluted with water, affording to 15 fractions. Fraction 7 (2.0 g) was repeatedly separated by means of column chromatograph over reverse phase C₁₈ silica gels in elution with a gradient solvent system of 20% to 25% acetonitrile. The purification was carried out through semi-preparative HPLC eluted with gradient solvent (18%→22% acetonitrile within 35 min, 1.5 ml/min, 203 nm detection), giving rise to compounds 1 (93.9 mg) and 2 (32.6 mg), respectively.

Compound 1. White amorphous powder, mp 170~172°C; : -60.7° (CH₃OH; c 0.94); IR (KBr) cm^-1: 3410, 2923, 1708, 1655, 1443, 1050; ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR: see Table 1; HR-FAB-MS (positive ion mode): m/z 711.3208 [M+Na]⁺, calcd for C₃₃H₅₂O₁₅Na, 711.3204.

Compound 2 White amorphous powder, mp 178~180°C; : -27.0° (CH₃OH; c 0.59); IR (KBr) cm^-1: 3406, 2923, 1655, 1445, 1056; ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR: see Table 1; HR-FAB-MS (positive ion mode): m/z 713.3367 [M+Na]⁺, calcd for C₃₃H₅₄O₁₅Na, 713.3360.

Acid Hydrolysis

Compounds 1 (10.0 mg) and 2 (6.5 mg) were hydrolyzed with 2.0 mol/L HCl. The hydrolysis and the detection of sugars in hydrolyzed products were carried out according to procedures described in the literature [34].

Bioassay

1 % Soluble starch (1.0 mL/mouse) was injected into the abdominal cavity of C57BL/6 mice. The mice were decapitated after 3 days and Hanker’s solution (8.0 mL/mouse) was injected into their abdominal cavities to obtain a cell solution under aseptic conditions. The cell solution was centrifuged for 8 minutes at 1000 rpm, and the precipitates were purged with Hanker’s solution. The concentration of cells was adjusted to 10⁶ cell/mL using PRMI 1640 culture medium which contains 20% calf serum. Then, the cells were inoculated to a culture plate with 48 pores (0.4 mL for each pore) for cultivation for 3 hrs under 37 °C and 5% CO₂. Then, LPS solution (0.1 mL) and samples were added to the plates, respectively, and cultivated for 24 hrs. The supernatant was collected and kept at -20 °C. The content of NO in supernatant was measured by using NO reagent kids (enzymatic method), according to procedures described in the instructions provided.