Evaluation of Cytotoxicity and Antifungal Activity of Friedelanes from Salacia elliptica Roots

Plants from Salacia genus are used in traditional medicine for a wide range of diseases. Previous studies reported bioactive pentacyclic triterpenoids from S. elliptica leaves and branches. In this study, the novel pentacyclic triterpenoid 7α,15α‐dihydroxyfriedelan‐3‐one (1) was obtained from the roots of Salacia elliptica, along with seven known compounds: friedelan‐3‐one (2), friedelan‐3β‐ol (3), friedelan‐1,3‐dione (4), friedelan‐3,15‐dione (5), 15α‐hydroxyfriedelan‐3‐one (6), 15α,26‐dihydroxyfriedelan‐3‐one (7), and 26‐hydroxyfriedelan‐3,15‐dione (8). Additionally, one steroid, spinasterol (9), was also identified. The chemical structures of all compounds were established through 1H and 13C‐NMR. Compound 1 was analysed by additional 2D experiments (HMBC, HSQC, COSY, and NOESY) for complete elucidation. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of compounds 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 against the A549 lung cancer cells model was evaluated. The flow cytometry analysis revealed a significant cytotoxic activity similar to that exhibited by the triterpenoid lupeol. Additionally, compounds 2, 3, 6, and 7 were tested for in vitro antifungal activity against Candida, Cryptococcus and Sporothrix strains. However, all compounds showed no activity at the tested concentrations.