Triterpenoids from Phytolacca acinosa

new triterpene ( 1 ), named jaligonic acid B, together with three known triterpenoids, jaligonic acid ( 2 ), esculentoside H ( 3 ), and esculentoside B ( 4 ), was isolated from the roots of Phytolacca acinosa Roxb. The structure of compound 1 was determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic (IR, MS, 1D and 2D NMR) analyses. All these compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against three human cancer cell lines (BEL-7402, HL-60, HepG2.2.1.5). Compound 4 showed moderate cytotoxic activity. The effects of these compounds on the release of TNF- α from macrophage RAW264.7 cells were also studied. They were also screened for antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. A triterpene containing a conjugated double bond is reported for the first time in the Phytolaccaceae family.