Cytotoxic Triterpenoids from the Fruits of Ligustrum japonicum

Medicinal plants are potential sources of anticancer agents screening. A large number of phytochemicals, including triterpenoids, have been reported to have significant cytotoxic effects on cancer cells. From the fruits of Ligustrum japonicum Thunb., thirteen triterpenoids (1 - 13) were isolated and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against Hela and HL-60 cells. As results, 8 (oleanolic acid) showed significant effects on Hela with $IC_{50}$ values of $5.5{\mu}M$, and moderate effects on HL-60 cells with $IC_{50}$ values of $55.9{\mu}M$. Meanwhile, 10 (oleanderic acid) and 11 ($3{\beta}$-acetoxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid) exhibited moderate inhibitory effects on Hela with $IC_{50}$ value of 55.0 and $68.8{\mu}M$, respectively. Moreover, 10 showed cytotoxic effect on HL-60 cell line with $IC_{50}$ value of $63.9{\mu}M$. To our knowledge, this is the first report that oleanderic acid was isolated from L. japonicum and investigated in cytotoxic effects on Hela and HL-60 cells.