Abstract
From the leaves of
Duranta repens
(Verbenaceae) two new triterpene saponins, named durantanin IV (
1
) and V (
2
) were isolated. In addition, ten known compounds were isolated, namely a bidesmosidic saponin, oleanolic acid, three phenylethanoids and five flavonoids. All metabolites were isolated for the first time from this genus except for
3
(oleanolic acid) and
7
(
E/Z
acteoside). The structures were determined mainly by spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, HRESI-MS,
1
H-,
13
C-NMR,
1
H-
1
H COSY, HSQC and HMBC). Cytotoxic screening of the chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts was carried out on brine shrimps. In addition, the investigated methanol extract and compounds
1
,
2
and
7
showed significant cytotoxic activity against a HepG2 cell line.