Novel anti-tumour barringenol-like triterpenoids from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge and their three dimensional quantitative structure activity relationships analysis.

The high edible oil content of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge seeds contributes to its economic value. In this study, we analysed the barrigenol-like triterpenoids derived from X. sorbifolia husks. We also identified anti-tumour agents that could enhance the health benefits and medicinal value of X. sorbifolia. We isolated 10 barrigenol triterpenoids, including six new compounds (1-6) and four known compounds (7-10). New compounds 3 and 5 showed significant inhibitory activity against the proliferation of three human tumour cell lines, namely, HepG2, HCT-116 and U87-MG. We determined the relationship between the structures and inhibitory activity of 25 barrigenol triterpenoids and 15 penta-cyclic triterpenoids through analysis of three-dimensional quantitative structure activity relationships (3D-QSAR). The isolation of novel barrigenol derivatives with anti-tumour activity from X. sorbifolia implied that husks of this plant may be a good source of anti-tumour agents.