Isolation of substances from glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum Ait.) inhibiting the mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene in bacteria.

Methanol and hot-water extracts of glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum Ait.) inhibited the mutagenic activity of benzo[a]pyrene in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 with S9 mix. The methanol extract was fractionated with ether and n-hexane. As the active components, oleanolic and ursolic acids were isolated, which were soluble in ether and insoluble in n-hexane. The hot-water extract was fractionated to water, 60% and 100% methanol fractions. Nuezhenide was isolated from the 60% methanol fraction as the active component.