Three new cycloartane bisdesmosides, two of which are based on a new genin, were isolated from the above-ground parts of Thalictrum minus. Thalicosides A1-A3 (1-3) were characterized as 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-29-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,16beta++ +, 29-trihydroxy-22(S),25-epoxycycloartane (1); 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-29-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,1 6beta, 29,22(S)-tetrahydroxycycloart-24-ene (2); and 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-29-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-3beta,1 6beta, 29-trihydroxy-22(S),25-epoxycycloartane (3), respectively. The structural assignments of these new compounds were based on interpretation of spectroscopic data. Thalicoside A2 showed in vitro inhibition of the fungus Candida albicans and also activity against Staphylococcus aureus.

No abstract

Thalictrum is an important plant genus that is widely used in traditional medicine. In this review considerable attention has been given to triterpenoid saponins in connection with their specific distribution in the Thalictrum genus and with their biological activity. All other non-alkaloid compounds isolated from the Thalictrum genus are also reviewed; these metabolites are discussed in relation to their structural features and to their role in the plants.

No abstract

No abstract