NMR-tracking for 15,16-seco-cycloartane triterpenes from Cimicifuga acerina

Twelve undescribed 15,16-seco-cycloartane triterpenoids, 15,16-seco-cimiterpenes C–N, as well as five previously reported analogs were isolated by NMR-tracking methods from the rhizomes of Cimicifuga acerina (Sieb. et Zucc.) Tanaka. Among them, 15,16-seco-cimiterpenes C–N were the first 15,16-seco-cycloartane triterpenoids featuring acetal or hemiacetal structures at C-15. The chemical structures of 15,16-seco-cimiterpenes C–N were determined based on comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, chemical method, and comparison with the previous literature data. After that, all these compounds were evaluated for their lipid-lowering effects on 3T3-L1 adipocytes.15,16-seco-cimiterpene D was found to exhibit a comparable reducing lipid effect at the concentration of 50 μM, with an inhibition rate at 35.96%.