Triterpenoid 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 I (1) and codonolaside II (2). The spectroscopic and chemical data revealed their structures to be 3-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→3)-(6′-O-methyl)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-3β, 16α-dihydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid 28-O-[β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→4)-α-L-rhamnpyranosyl (1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl] ester (1), and 3β, 16α-dihydroxyolean-12-ene-28-oic acid 28-O- [β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→3)-β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→4)-α-L-rhamnpyranosyl (1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl] ester (2).