New triterpenic compounds from Swertia chirata

Aim: To study the Phytochemical constituents of dried aerial parts of Swertia chirata Linn (family Gentianaceae). Methods: The ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of plant S. chirata was subjected to column chromatography and was eluted with petroleum ether and chloroform of various concentrations to yield compound SC-1, 2 and 3 and their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical methods and spectral techniques such as Ultraviolet (UV), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Hydrogen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1HNMR), Carbon Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13CNMR), and Mass spectrometry (MS). Results: Three compounds were isolated and their structures were determined as (a) Olean-12-ene-18α H-3-one-9α-ol, (b) Olean-12-ene-18α H-3-one-19β-ol and (c) Olean-12-en-18α H-3-one. Conclusion: Chemical and spectral investigation of extract furnished three novel oleanenone triterpene glycosides from the genus Swertia for the first time.