New Hopanoid, Chemical Profiling Using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS and Biological Activities of Centaurea pumilio

Few studies have been conducted on phytochemical constituents and biological activities of Centaurea pumilio L. Hence, fractions of root ethanolic extract were subjected to chromatographic separation. Eight compounds were isolated for the first time from the roots – one is new, hop-17(21)-ene-3β-ylformate (1) and seven are known. Fifty-three compounds were tentatively identified in the fractions of the root and aerial parts using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. Moreover, the ethyl acetate fraction of the roots exhibited an in vitro hypoglycemic effect in that it inhibited the α-amylase enzyme compared to acarbose. Additionally, total ethanolic extracts as well as different soluble fractions of the root and aerial parts were examined for their cytotoxic activity.