Multiflorane triterpene esters from the seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii

Abstract

Two new multiflorane triterpene esters, (3α,7β)-3,7,29-trihydroxymultiflor-8-ene-3,29-diyl dibenzoate (<b>2</b>) and (3α)-3,29-dihydroxy-7-oxomultiflor-8-ene-3,29-diyl dibenzoate (<b>3</b>) have been isolated from the CHCl₃ extract of the seeds of <i>Trichosanthes kirilowii</i>, together with two known compounds, (3α,5α,22E)-24-ethylcholesta-7,22,25(27)-trien-3-ol and darutigenol. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive NMR experiments, and by means of an X-ray crystallographic analysis of <b>2</b>. A preliminary cytotoxicity assay showed that <b>2</b> and <b>3</b> are basically inactive against the K562 cell line.