Multiflorane Triterpene Esters from the Seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii

Two new multiflorane triterpene esters, (3 α ,7 β )‐3,7,29‐trihydroxymultiflor‐8‐ene‐3,29‐diyl dibenzoate ( 2 ) and (3 α )‐3,29‐dihydroxy‐7‐oxomultiflor‐8‐ene‐3,29‐diyl dibenzoate ( 3 ) have been isolated from the CHCl 3 extract of the seeds of Trichosanthes kirilowii , together with two known compounds, (3 α ,5 α ,22 E )‐24‐ethylcholesta‐7,22,25(27)‐trien‐3‐ol and darutigenol. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive NMR experiments, and by means of an X‐ray crystallographic analysis of 2 . A preliminary cytotoxicity assay showed that 2 and 3 are basically inactive against the K562 cell line.