Hopane-type triterpenes from Cnidoscolus spinosus and their bioactivities

Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Cnidoscolus spinosus resulted in the isolation of relatively infrequent hopane-type triterpenes, 3β-acetoxy-hop-22(29)-ene (1), first reported here as natural product, together with 3-oxo-hop-22(29)-ene (2), and 3β-hydroxy-hop-22(29)-ene (3). β-Amyrin palmitate and three phytosterols were also characterized. The structures of the compounds were established using spectroscopic methods, and those of 1 and 2 were confirmed by crystallographic analysis. Selected biological activities for the isolated hopane-type triterpenes were tested through a series of assays for determining the cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, α-glucosidase inhibition and antiparasitic activities. Compounds 1–3 did not show cytotoxic activity, compound 1 displayed an important inhibitory effect in the mouse ear induced inflammation assay, and significantly inhibited the yeast α-glucosidase activity in vitro and in silico. Additionally, compounds 2 and 3 showed marginal activities against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania mexicana. Therefore, the bioactivities of hopane-type triterpenes deserve further investigation, particularly their anti-inflammatory properties.