• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.270-274
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• 2002

Chromatographic separation of the stem bark extract of Mitragyna stipulosa afforded triterpene derivatives ursolic acid (1), quinovic acid (2), quinivic acid $3-O-{\beta}-D-glucopyranoside$ (3, quinovin glycoside C), quinovic acid 3-O-[$(2-O-sulfo)-{\beta}-D-quinovopyranoside$] (4, zygophyloside D) and quinovic acid $3-O-{\beta}-D-quinovopyranosyl-27-O-{\beta}-D-glucopyranosyl$ ester (5, zygophyloside B). These five compounds were subjected to the cytotoxicity on MTT assay system. Compound 1 among tested showed the most potent cytotoxicity. Quinovic acid showed less potent cytotoxicity than ursolic acid and sugar linkages to 2 decreased the cytotoxicity. Compound 4 more potent than 3 with indicate that the sulfonyl group significantly enhances the activity. This indicates that the glycosidic linkage in ursane-type triterpenoids has mainly negative effect on cytotoxicity unlike in oleanane-type glycosides.