Cytotoxic triterpene glycosides from sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the bioactive triterpene glycosides in sea cucumber Holothuria leucospilota. METHODS: Triterpene glycosides in the sea cucumber were isolated and purified by column chromatography on DA-101, silica gel, reversed-phase silica and reversed HPLC. Their chemical structures were identified on the basis of chemical properties and spectral data. The cytotoxicities of the compounds obstained were tested with human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells, gastric carcinoma BEL-7402 cells, and breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells. RESULTS: Three triterpene glycosides were obstained from the sea cucumber studied and their structures were identified as leucospilotaside D(1), holothurin B(2), and holothurin B2 (3). Their inhibition ratios for HeLa, BEL-7402, and MCF-7 cells were high. CONCLUSION: Compound 1 is obstained from Holothuria leucospilota for the first time. All glycosides show marked in vitro antitumor activity. Copyright 2012 by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.