# Hovendulcisic acid A-D: four novel ceanothane-type triterpenoids from Hovenia dulcis stems with anticancer properties

## TL;DR

Researchers discovered four new compounds from Hovenia dulcis stems that may have anticancer effects.

## Contribution

The study introduces four novel ceanothane-type triterpenoids with potential antitumor activity.

## Key findings

- Four new ceanothane-type triterpenoids (hovendulcisic acids A–D) were isolated and structurally confirmed.
- Compounds 3, 5, and 15 showed antitumor activity against A549 and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells.
- A putative biosynthetic pathway for all 16 compounds was proposed.

## Abstract

Sixteen ceanothane-type triterpenoids, including four new compounds—hovendulcisic acids A–D (1–4) —were purified from the stems of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. The structures of 1–4 were confirmed by comprehensive means including ECD and quantum chemical calculations. Putative biosynthetic pathways of 1–16 were proposed, and 3, 5, and 15 exhibited antitumor activity on A549 and MDA-MB-231 cells.