Triterpenoids from Tripterygium wilfordii

The extract (T-II) of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f. afforded four triterpe noids: wilforic acid D (3 beta,24-epoxy-2 alpha-hydroxy-24R*- ethoxy-29-fri edelanoic acid); (E) 3 beta,24-epoxy-2-oxo-3 alpha-hydroxy-29-friedelanoic acid; (F) 2 beta-hydroxy-3-oxo-friedelan-29-oic acid; 29-hydroxy-3-oxo-olea n-12-en-28-oic acid and 17 known triterpenoids. Their structures were estab lished on the basis of spectroscopic studies. In a bioactivity analysis, on ly the known dulcioic acid compound showed a significant inhibitory effect on cytokine production. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.