Triterpene and sterol derivatives from the roots of Breynia fruticosa.

A new nor-ceanothane-type triterpenoid, breynceanothanolic acid (1), and seven novel 4α-methyl sterols, fruticosides A-G (2-8), were obtained from the roots of Breynia fruticosa. The new compound structures were established by means of extensive spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compounds 7 and 8 are sulfur-containing derivatives of the 4α-methyl sterols, and the sugar moiety of compounds 4, 5, 7, and 8 (L-quinovose) is uncommon in plants. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines.