Synthesis and antitumor activity of two natural N-acetylglucosamine-bearing triterpenoid saponins: Lotoidoside D and E

Two natural triterpenoid saponins bearing N-acetylglucosamine, lotoidoside D and lotoidoside E, which had been available only from Glinus lotoides growing in Egyptian desert, were facilely synthesized from readily available oleanolic acid. Preliminary pharmacological research showed their antitumor activity against HeLa cell.