Triterpene saponins from the roots of Dipsacus asper and their protective effects against the Aβ(25-35) induced cytotoxicity in PC12 cells.

Three new triterpene saponins, named asperosaponin A-C (1-3), together with seven known triterpene saponins (4-10) were isolated from the roots of Dipsacus asper. The structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. Compounds 1-3, 6-10 had significantly protective effects in PC12 cells against the Aβ(25-35) induced cytotoxicity. All the compounds isolated showed no cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines, A-549, Bel-7402 and BGC-823.