Anti-neutrophilic inflammatory steroidal glycosides from Solanum torvum

Torvpregnanosides A and B, two pregnane glycosides, and torvoside Q, a 23-keto-spirostanol glycoside, along with twelve known steroidal saponins were isolated from aerial parts of Solanum torvum. Of the latter, four of the 23-hydroxy-spirostanol glycosides, and, a yamogenin glycoside, were in this plant discovered. All structures were identified from spectroscopic data, and all the compounds were tested for in vitro anti-neutrophilic inflammatory activity. Two compounds showed selective inhibition against elastase release and superoxide anion generation, respectively, by human neutrophils with IC ₅₀ values of 5.66 and 3.59 μM, while two others inhibited both inflammatory mediators with IC₅₀ values of 0.66-3.49 μM. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.