Pro-apoptotic activity of acylated triterpenoid saponins from the stem bark of Albizia chevalieri harms

Abstract As a continuation of our interest in apoptosis-inducing triterpenoid saponins from Albizia genus, phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Albizia chevalieri led to the isolation of three new oleanane-type saponins, named chevalierosides A–C ( 1 – 3 ). Their structures were established on the basis of extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR ( 1 H-, 13 C NMR, DEPT, COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, HSQC and HMBC) experiments, HRESIMS studies, and by chemical evidence. The pro-apoptotic effect of the three saponins was evaluated on two human cell lines (pancreatic carcinoma AsPC-1 and hematopoietic monocytic THP-1). Cytometric analyses showed that saponins 1 – 3 induced apoptosis of both human cell lines (AsPC-1 and THP-1) in a dose-dependent manner.