Metabolism of chiisanoside from Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus by human intestinal bacteria and its relation to some biological activities.

The metabolic pathway of chiisanoside isolated from leaves of Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus (Araliaceae) by human intestinal bacteria and by the protein fraction of leaves of this plant were investigated, and the cytotoxic and anti-rotaviral activities of chiisanoside and its metabolite, chiisanogenin, were assayed. Chiisanogenin was produced as a main metabolite, when chiisanoside were incubated for 15 h with human intestinal bacteria. This metabolic pathway proceeded more potently with the protein fraction than with human intestinal bacteria. The in vitro cytotoxicity of chiisanogenin was superior to that of chiisanoside. H+/K+ ATPase was more potently inhibited by chiisanogenin than by chiisanoside. However, the anti-rotaviral activity of chiisanoside was more potent than that of chiisanogenin.