Structure-activity relationship of triterpenoids isolated from Mitragyna stipulosa on cytotoxicity.

Chromatographic separation of the stem bark extract of Mitragyna stipulosa afforded triterpene derivatives ursolic acid (1), quinovic acid (2), quinivic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3, quinovin glycoside C), quinovic acid 3-O-[(2-O-sulfo)-beta-D-quinovopyranoside] (4, zygophyloside D) and quinovic acid 3-O-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl-27-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (5, zygophyloside B). These five compounds were subjected to the cytotoxicity on MTT assay system. Compound 1 among tested showed the most potent cytotoxicity. Quinovic acid showed less potent cytotoxicity than ursolic acid and sugar linkages to 2 decreased the cytotoxicity. Compound 4 more potent than 3 with indicate that the sulfonyl group significantly enhances the activity. This indicates that the glycosidic linkage in ursane-type triterpenoids has mainly negative effect on cytotoxicity unlike in oleanane-type glycosides.