Triterpenoids, including one with smooth muscle relaxant activity, from Rubus idaeus (raspberry) leaves

Abstract

A methanol extract of Rubus idaeus leaves was fractionated by column chromatography and the eluted samples were tested for their ability to relax transmurally stimulated Guinea pig ileum preparations in vitro. Two distinct bands of activity were detected. From band one sitosterol and eight triterpenoids were characterized, but only olean-18-ene-1β, 2α, 3α-triol demonstrated smooth muscle relaxant activity. This compound is, to the best of our knowledge, novel, as are olean-12-ene-3β, 29-diol and urs-12-ene-3β, 30-diol.