Dammarane-type saponins from the leaves of Panax notoginseng and their neuroprotective effects on damaged SH-SY5Y cells

Seven dammarane-type saponins previously undescribed (notoginsenosides Fh1-Fh7) were isolated from the aqueous extract leaves of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H.Chen (Araliaceae), together with eleven known saponins. Their structures of were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis (NMR, UV, IR, ect.), HR-ESI-MS techniques and chemical methods. Screening results indicated that compounds 4, 5, 12, 13 showed moderate neuroprotective effects on H2O2-induced cellular damage in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells (10 μM).