Two new compounds from Semen celosiae and their protective effects against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity.

Two new oleanolic acid saponins, namely celosin A (1) and celosin B (2), together with six known compounds, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, β-daucosterol, hexacosoic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid, were isolated from the ethanolic extract of Semen celosiae. The structures of celosin A (1) and celosin B (2) were determined by spectral analysis (including 1D- and 2D-NMR). The hepatoprotective activity of 1 and 2 with oral doses 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 mg kg⁻¹ were investigated by carbon tetrachloride CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. The results indicate that they have significant hepatoprotective effects, and that these hepatoprotective effects may be due to the antioxidant capability.