An 18-norspirostanol saponin with inhibitory action against COX-2 production from the underground part of Trillium tschonoskii.

A novel 18-norspirostanol saponin (1), along with Trillenoside A (2), was obtained from the underground parts of Trillium tschonoskii MAXIM., collected in Shennongjia Forest District, China. Based on the chemical and spectroscopic evidences, their structures were determined as shown in Fig. 1. 1 and 2 displayed marked inhibitory action towards COX-2 production in macrophagocytes of the mouse abdominal cavity stimulated by LPS at 10 microg/ml.