Inhibition of T-Lymphocyte Proliferation by Cucurbitacins from <i>Picrorhiza scrophulariaeflora</i>

Abstract

Two cucurbitacin aglycons were isolated from the dried rhizomes of Picrorhiza scrophulariaeflora and were identified as 25-acetoxy-2,3, 16,20-tetrahydroxy-9-methyl-19-norlanosta-5,23-dien-22-one (picracin, 1) and 2,3,16,20,25-pentahydroxy-9-methyl-19-norlanosta-5, 23-dien-22-one (deacetylpicracin, 2). Both compounds inhibit mitogen-induced T-lymphocyte proliferation at an IC(50) value of 1 microM.