A new triterpene glycoside ilexdunnoside A (1) and a new sulfated triterpene derivative ilexdunnoside B (2), together with five known analogues 3-7 were isolated from the roots of Ilex dunniana Levl. The structures were established by NMR spectroscopic analysis and acid hydrolysis. Results of an in vivo study of the biological activity showed that 75% ethanol and n-butanol extracts of the plant displayed anti-inflammatory activities against ear edema in mice, with inhibition rates of 23.5% and 37.5%, respectively, at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Furthermore, Compounds 1, 2 and 3 exhibited moderate indirect inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in BV2 microglial cells in vitro, with IC50 values of 11.60, 12.30 and 9.70 μM, respectively.
Keywords: Ilex dunniana Levl; anti-inflammatory; triterpene glycosides.