Triterpene glycosides from the aerial parts of Larrea tridentata.

Chemical study of the aerial parts of Larrea tridentata (Zygophyllaceae) resulted in the isolation of 25 triterpene glycosides, 13 of which were previously unknown. Their structures were determined on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, including 2D NMR spectroscopy, and hydrolytic cleavage followed by chromatographic and spectroscopic analyses. This is the first systematic phytochemical study of L. tridentata with attention paid to its triterpene glycoside constituents. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells.