Cycloartane triterpene glycosides from rhizomes of Cimicifuga foetida L. with lipid-lowering activity on 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Six previously undescribed cycloartane triterpenes glycosides, cimimanols A-F (1-6), together with thirteen known analogues (7-19) were isolated from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga foetida. Among them, cimimanol A (1) was the first example of cycloartane triterpene glycoside featuring a unique cyclic carbonate, and cimimanol B (2) was a rare trinortriterpene glycoside. The chemical structures and absolute configurations of new compounds were determined on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, chemical method, and X-ray crystal diffraction, as well as quantum chemistry calculations. Finally, all these compounds were evaluated for their lipid-lowering effect on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Compounds 1-3, 6-10, 12-16, 18-19 could significantly reduce the fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, especially compounds 8, 9, 14, and 15 exhibited strong lipid-lowering effect at the concentration of 10 μM, with inhibition rates ranging from 8.35% to 12.07%.