Triterpenoids from Acanthopanax koreanum root and their inhibitory activities on NFAT transcription

Two triterpenoids ( 1,4 ) and two triterpenoid glycosides ( 2,3 ) were isolated from the root of Acanthopanax koreanum (Araliaceae). Their structures were identified as impressic acid ( 1 ), acankoreoside A ( 2 ), 3- epi -betulinic acid 28- 0 -[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→4)-p-D-glucopyrano-syl(1→6)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl] ester ( 3 ), and ursolic acid ( 4 ) by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Of these compounds, impressic acid (1) exhibited a potent inhibitory activity against NFAT transcription factor (IC 50 :12.65 μ.M).