Cytotoxic triterpene saponins from Cercodemas anceps

[Display omitted] Seven holostane-type triterpene saponins (1–7), including five new compounds namely cercodemasoides A–E (2–6), were isolated from the sea cucumber Cercodemas anceps. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence including HR ESI MS, ESI MS/MS, 1D and 2D NMR. The cytotoxic effects of isolated compounds were evaluated by SRB method on five human cancer cell lines including Hep-G2 (hepatoma cancer), KB (epidermoid carcinoma), LNCaP (prostate cancer), MCF7 (breast cancer), and SK-Mel2 (melanoma). Compounds 1–7 showed potent cytotoxicity on five tested cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.03±0.01 to 7.36±0.46μM. With respect to the potent cytotoxicity of the isolated saponins, further studies are required to confirm efficacy in vivo and the mechanism of cytotoxic effects.