Triterpenoid saponins from Clematis tangutica and their cardioprotective activities.

Phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of Clematis tangutica led to the isolation of three new triterpenoid saponins (1-3), together with four known saponins (4-7). Their structures were determined by extensive spectral analysis and chemical evidences. Compounds 1-7 were evaluated for their cardioprotective activities in cardiomyocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) model. The results showed that those saponins exhibited cardioprotective effects by decreasing the levels of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).