Astracondensatols F-L, cycloartane triterpenoids from Astragalus condensatus with their anti-inflammatory potential

Authors: AYDOGAN, FADIME - University Of Mississippi; CAMCI, MERVE - Dicle University; ZHANG, JIN - University Of Mississippi; ZHAO, JIANPING - University Of Mississippi; PUGH, NIRMAL - University Of Mississippi; KHAN, IKHLAS - University Of Mississippi; ALI, ZULFIQAR - University Of Mississippi

Submitted to: Fitoterapia
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/24/2025
Publication Date: 1/2/2025
Citation: Aydogan, F., Camci, M. I., Zhang, J., Zhao, J., Pugh, N. D., Khan, I. A., & Ali, Z. (2026). Astracondensatols F–L, cycloartane triterpenoids from Astragalus condensatus with their anti-inflammatory potential. Fitoterapia, 189, Article 107071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2025.107071
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2025.107071

Interpretive Summary: Our work involves the detailed chemical investigation of the roots of Astragalus condensatus, leading to the discovery of seven unusual natural compounds, which we have named as astracondensatol F-L (1-7). Additionally, we isolated 27 known metabolites, and their chemical structures were elucidated through detailed spectroscopic and mass spectrometry techniques. All metabolites were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity. Additionally, the discovery of two unique derivatives (3 and 4) which is uncommon in saponin chemistry, underscores the importance of the discovery of new compounds derived from natural sources. This detailed phytochemical study and its findings demonstrate that the endemic A. condensatus is a rich source of compounds with potential anti-inflammatory properties and provide insights into the chemical and biological diversity important for the saponin-based drug discovery.

Technical Abstract: Phytochemical investigation on roots of Astragalus condensatus (Fabaceae) led to the isolation of seven previously undescribed cycloartane-type triterpenoids named astracondensatol F-M (1-7), together with twelve known cycloartane derivatives (8-19), and fifteen various known secondary metabolites (20-34). The structures of these compounds were elucidated by 1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopy. Triterpenoid derivatives were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity through inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibition and their effects on NF-'B-driven luciferase expression in THP-1 monocytes stimulated with Escherichia. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). None of the tested compounds showed iNOS inhibitory activity at concentrations up to 50 µM. Although five compounds (3, 4, 8, 10 and cyclocephagenol) exhibited a dose-dependent suppression of NF-'B activation at concentrations up to 250 µg/mL. However, their effects were non-selective, as they also inhibited Sp-1 control activity to a similar extent.