Triterpenoid constituents and Their Anti-cancer activity from stems and branches of Sambucus williamsii var. coreana Nakai (Caprifoliaceae)

This study aims at characterization of the anti-cancer active compounds separated from stems and branches of Sambucus williamsii var. coreana Nakai (Caprifoliaceae). Bioactivity-guided fractionation of ethanol extracts from the S. williamsii was isolated of three triterpenoid compounds. S. williamsii fractions showed superior growth inhibitory activity against three cancer cells (HCT116, A549 and MDA-MB231). Active fraction was isolated and analyzed and led to the identification of three active triterpenoid compounds using HPLC, NMR, and LC-MS spectrometer, their structures were established as betulinic acid (1), oleanolic acid (2) and ursolic acid (3). The results of this study performed with S. williamsii will be helpful to develop new and efficient anti-cancer agents. Also, this research was supported the previous separations and isolations studies on active ingredients of S. williamsii. Practical Application: Anti-cancer drug development for natural lead compounds using the S. williamsii. (author)