Enrichment process, structural prediction, isolation, in vitro cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects of triterpenoid saponins in Camellia japonica L. leaves water extract through UPLC-Q-TOF based mass spectrometry similarity networking.

Camellia japonica L. is rich in bioactive compounds, but its health-enhancing potential is often overshadowed by its ornamental value. Notably, triterpenoid saponins are prominent due to their surfactant properties. MolNetEnhancer revealed 537 compounds in C. japonica leaves water extract, classified into 32 categories, including 38 triterpenoid saponins. To enrich triterpenoid saponins, the process of D101 resin chromatography was employed. Molecular networking analysis based on UPLC-Q-TOF and quantitative analysis based on HPLC revealed saponins concentrated in fractions 3 and 4 (68.3% transfer). MS2LDA and NAP predicted structures for 38 triterpenoid saponins, revealing nearly half of them are potential new compounds. Comprehensive chromatographic and spectroscopic methods were used for purification and structural illustration of triterpenoid saponins, yielding 13, including 7 new compounds. Statistical analysis and in vitro assays revealed the cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities of these triterpenoid saponins played a crucial role in the anticancer effects.

Spirostanol saponins from Ypsilandra parviflora induce platelet aggregation.

Phytochemical investigation on the whole plants of Ypsilandra parviflora led to the isolation of seven new spirostanol saponins, named ypsiparosides A-G, together with 14 known saponins. Their structures were unambiguously established based on extensive spectroscopic evidence and chemical methods. The induced rabbit platelet aggregation activities of the isolates were tested. Compounds 4, 15, and 17 showed maximal platelet aggregation rates ranging from 43 to 55% at a concentration of 300µg/mL. Further experiments exhibited that compounds 4, 15, and 17 possessed EC50 values of 642.9, 95.3, and 300.8µg/mL, respectively.