Chemical constituents of Acanthus ilicifolius L. and effect on osteoblastic MC3T3E1 cells.

A new coumaric acid derivative called acancifoliuside (1) and six known compounds as acteoside (2), isoacteoside (3), acanthaminoside (4), (+)-lyoniresinol 3a-O-beta-glucopyranoside (5), (-)-lyoniresinol (6), and alpha-amyrin (7), were isolated from the methanolic extract of the leaves of Acanthus ilicifolius L. (Acanthaceae). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods and a comparison with the spectral data reported in the literature. The effects of the compounds on the function of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were tested. Compounds 2, 3, and 5 (30 microM) increased the growth and differentiation of osteoblasts significantly (P<0.05), indicating that A. ilicifolius leaves may help prevent osteoporosis.