New acylated triterpene saponins from Silene fortunei that modulate lymphocyte proliferation.

Three new acylated triterpene saponins 1-3, with a quillaic acid as aglycon, were isolated from the roots of Silene fortunei together with a known phytoecdysteroid (20-hydroxyecdysone). The compounds were characterized mainly by a combination of 2D NMR techniques, mass spectrometry, and chemical methods. Saponins 1-3, jenisseensosides C and D (4, 5), and 6 (deacylated form of 2/3 and 4/5) were found to stimulate the proliferation of the Jurkat tumor cell lines at low concentration. At high concentration, 2/3 and 4/5 inhibited the proliferation of the cells and suggested the induction of apoptosis.