Triteirpenoid saponins and anti-inflammatory activity of Codonopsis lanceolata

The ethanolic root extract of Codonopsis lanceolata were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity using the carrageenan induced rat hind paw edema model and displayed a significant activity of 51.82% inhibition at 200 mg/kg at 3 h (p < 0.05). Further isolation of the extract yielded two new triterpenoid saponins, named codonolaside 1 (1) and codonolaside 11 (2). The spectroscopic and chemical data revealed their structures to be 3-O[beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1 -> 3)-(6'-O-methyl)-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-3 beta, 16 alpha-dihydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid 28-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1,4)-alpha-L-rhamnpyranosyl (1 -> 2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] ester (1), and 3 beta, 16 alpha-dihydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid 28-O[beta-D-xylopyranosyl (1 -> 3)-beta-D-Xylopyranosyl (1 -> 4)-alpha-L-rhamnpyranosyl (1 -> 2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] ester (2).