Oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins from the roots of Pulsatilla koreana and their apoptosis-inducing effects on HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells.

Twenty-four oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins were isolated from a methanol extract of the Pulsatilla koreana roots. Their structures were elucidated by comparing spectroscopic data to published values. Among them, compounds 8-12 and 20-24 significantly diminished the proliferation of HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells with IC50 values from 0.3 to 4.2 μM, whereas compounds 7 and 19 showed moderate cytotoxic activity. Furthermore, apoptotic characteristics such as chromatin condensation and increase in the population of sub-G1 hypodiploid cells were observed after the HL-60 cells were treated with these compounds.