Anti-inflammatory furostanol saponins from the rhizomes of Smilax china L

Abstract Seven new furostanol saponins ( 1 – 7 ), chongrenosides A-G, were isolated from the rhizomes of Smilax china L . , together with nine known furostanol saponins ( 8 – 16 ). The structures of the new furostanol saponins ( 1 – 7 ) were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic data analyses (1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS) and chemical evidence. Compounds 1 – 6 and 8 – 16 were evaluated for TNF- α mRNA expression inhibitory activity on LPS induced RAW264.7 cells. Of them, 1 , 4 , 6 , and 11 inhibited the TNF- α mRNA expression by 88%, 87%, 67%, and 93%, respectively, at the concentration of 10 µM.