Triterpenoid saponins from Clematis tangutica and their cardioprotective activities.

Abstract Phytochemical investigation of the whole plants of Clematis tangutica led to the isolation of three new triterpenoid saponins ( 1 – 3 ), together with four known saponins ( 4 – 7 ). Their structures were determined by extensive spectral analysis and chemical evidences. Compounds 1 – 7 were evaluated for their cardioprotective activities in cardiomyocytes anoxia/reoxygenation (A/R) model. The results showed that those saponins exhibited cardioprotective effects by decreasing the levels of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).