New cycloartane glycosides from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus and their antidepressant activity.

Two new cycloartane glycosides, cyprotusides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of IR, MS, NMR spectroscopic analyses coupled with chemical degradation. The potential antidepressant activity of the two compounds was evaluated. In the despair mice models, compounds 1 and 2 showed significant antidepressant activity.