Dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins from the flower buds of Panax pseudoginseng with cytotoxic activity

Phytochemical investigation of a methanol extract of Panax pseudoginseng flower buds resulted in the isolation of 22 dammarane-type triterpenoid saponins, including three new compounds, pseudoginsenosides A-C (1-3), and 19 known analogs. Their chemical structures were identified by the comprehensive spectroscopic methods, including 1 D and 2 D NMR and mass spectra. In addition, their cytotoxic effects toward three human carcinoma cell lines, including liver (HepG2), breast (MCF7), and lung (A549) were also evaluated.