A new lupane-type triterpene from the seeds of Panax ginseng with its inhibition of NF-κB

A new lupane-triterpene, 3 beta-cis-feruloyloxy-16 beta-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene (1) were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of Panax ginseng seeds along with the known compound, 3 beta-transferuloyloxy-16 beta-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene (2). Compound 2 was isolated from this plant for the first time. Their chemical structures were determined by mass spectroscopy and one-dimensional and two-dimensional magnetic resonance spectra. The bioactive effects of these compounds on TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappa B transcription were evaluated in transfected HepG2 cells. Effects on the expression of NF-kappa B target genes were also examined using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Both compounds 1 and 2 were inhibited NF-kappa B activity in HepG2 cells by decreasing the cellular concentrations of inflammatory factors iNOS and COX2.