Four new dammarane nortriterpenoids isolated from mastic (Pistacia lentiscus L.) and their anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities

Four new dammarane-type nortriterpenoids and four known dammarane triterpenoids were successfully isolated from mastic (Pistacia lentiscus L.). Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data analyses (including IR, UV, HR-MS and NMR spectroscopy). Compounds 1-4 represent structurally novel dammarane-type triterpenes, characterised by a side chain with a carbon deficiency of either 4 or 6 atoms relative to conventional analogues. The anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities of these compounds were thoroughly evaluated, revealing promising results for potential therapeutic applications. Compounds 5-8 showed certain inhibitory NO production in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells with IC₅₀ values of 24.84–37.15 μM (positive control dexamethasone, 11.27 ± 2.25 μM). Compound 7 significantly inhibited the growth of SW480 cells, with an IC₅₀ value of 30.76 ± 2.75 μM, comparable to that of the positive control cisplatin (25.91 ± 1.44 μM). Additionally, the effects of all the compounds on HCT116 cells were not significant.