Four new furostanol saponins (1: - 4: ) and a new pregane-type saponin (5: ) along with six known steroidal saponins (6: - 11: ) were isolated from the rhizomes of Smilax china. The structures of 1: - 5: were elucidated by extensive analysis of NMR and HR-ESI-MS data in addition to enzymatic hydrolysis and other chemical methods. Compounds 1, 4: , and 11: showed inhibitory activity against the expression of proinflammatory mediators, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. Compound 1: , at a concentration of 20 µM, decreased the production of inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α by 36, 62, 72, and 67%, respectively, which is comparable to that of the positive control dexamethasone.
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