form -(CH2)5-]; R8 represents hydrogen or methyl group; Rs represents - CH2COOR or -COOR [wherein, R represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, 2-tetrahydropyranyl, CH(ORll)Rlo, CH(ORI3)CH2Rl2 (wherein, Rlo represents hydrogen, methyl or ethyl group, Rii represents a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, octyl, benzyl, methoxymethyl or methoxyethyl group, R12 represents hydrogen, methyl or ethyl group, R13 represents methyl or ethyl group, or Rl2 and Rl3 may form -CH2CH2CH2-), or glucosyl or rhamnosyl group], hydroxymethyl of which hydroxyl group may be protected by acetyl or benzoyl group, methanesulfonyloxymethyl or cyanomethyl group; R14 and Rl5 independently represent hydrogen, or both form oxo group together [provided that when R, is hydroxyl, R2 is hydrogen, R3 is hydrogen, R4 is hydroxyl, Rs is hydroxymethyl and R8 is methyl, R does not represent hydrogen nor methyl, and Rlo does not represent hydrogen; and provided that when Rl is hydroxyl, Ri is hydrogen, R3 or R4 may form, with Ri, - OC(R6)(R7)0CH2-, and R6 is methyl, R does not represent methyl group; or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters thereof, as the active component.

Background Art Asiatic acid, madecassic acid and asiaticoside, trisaccharide of asiatic acid, which are compounds extracted from Centella asiatica, isolated firstly by Bontems in 1941 [J. E. Bontems, Bull. Sci. Pharmacol., 49, 186-91(1941)] and their structures were defined by Polonsky [J.

Polonsky, Compt. Rend., 232, 1878-80(1951); J. Polonsky, Bull. Soc.

Chim., 173-80(1953)].

The extracts including asiatic acid and asiaticoside from Centella asiatica have been used for treatment of hurted skin or chronic ulcer since old times, and also for treatment deformation of skin due to tuberculosis or leprosy [P. Boiteau, A. Buzas, E. Lederer and J. Polonsky, Bull. Soc.

Chim., 31,46-51(1949)].

Disclosure of the Invention The present inventors have already synthesized various asiatic acid derivatives represented by the formula 1 as above and filed with the Korea Industrial Property Office as a patent application (Korean patent laid-open publication No. 96-22435, Korean Patent Application No. 96- 58175), and also performed intensive studies on the asiatic acid derivatives, and found the fact that the derivatives of the formula 1 are useful for liver protection or treatment, to complete the invention.

The object of the present invention is to provide liver protection or treatment agents, which comprise asiatic acid derivatives of the formula 1 as the active component: (wherein, Rl, R2, R3, R4, Ri, R6, R7, Ri, Ri, Rio, Rii, R12, R13, R,4 and Rls are the same that are defined above.) Specific examples of the compounds of the above formula 1 include 2-oxoasiatic acid, 2-methylasiatic acid, methyl 2 a -acetoxyurs- 1 2-en-23-al-3-on-28-oate, tetrahydropyranyl 3 ,23-diacetoxyurs- 12-en- 28-oate, ethoxymethyl 2 a -hydroxy-3 ,23-isopropylidendioxyurs-12- <BR> <BR> <BR> en-28-oate, methyl 2,3 - -epoxy- 1 2-en-23 -epoxy-12-en-23-carbomethoxyurs-28-oate,<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> methyl 2,3- -epoxy- -epoxy-12-en-23-benzamidours-28-oate, 1-ethoxyethyl asiatate, 2',3 ',4',6'- tetra-O-acetylglucosyl 2,3,23 -tri-O-acetylurs-28-oate, etc.

The liver protection or treatment agents of this invention may comprise pharmaceutically acceptable salts or esters of the above active components.

The general preparation of the compounds of the formula 1 according to the present invention is presented by Korean patent laid- open publication No. 96-22435, and for the compounds of the formula 1 which can be defined as the formula 2 below, it is desirable to prepare by Method 1-8.

wherein, Ra represents hydrogen, hydroxyl group which may be protected by acetyl or benzyl group, methanesulfonyloxy, (methylthio) thiocarbonyloxy, halogen, ethoxymethyloxy or octyloxymethyloxy group; Rb represents hydrogen or hydroxyl group; Ra and Rb may form an oxo group; Rc represents hydrogen or hydroxyl group which may be protected by acetyl or benzoyl group; Rb and Rc may form an epoxy group; Ri represents hydroxymethyl group which may be protected by acetyl or benzoyl group; Rc and Ri may form -OC(Rf)(Rg)OCH2- [wherein, Rf is hydrogen, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or phenyl group, Rg represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or phenyl group, and Rf and Rg may form -(CH2)5-]; Ri represents hydrogen, a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkoxymethyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, octyloxymethyl, methoxyethoxymethyl, benzyloxymethyl or 2-tetrahydropyranyl group

The preparations of asiatic acid derivatives of the formula 2 above according to the present invention are presented below.

Method 1 Titrated extracts of Centella asiatica (TECA) is hydrolyzed to obtain a mixture of asiatic acid and madecassic acid, and the mixture is reacted with 2,2-dimethoxypropane in the presence of acid catalyst. The reaction product is purified by column chromatography to isolate 3,23-0- isopropylidene asiatic acid (3) in which 3,23-dihydroxy group is protected. The obtained product is treated with diazomethane to synthesize methyl 3,23-0-isopropylidene asiatate (4). [See Scheme 1.] Scheme 1 . . . 2,2-dimethoxypropane titrated extract of . (asiatic acid + 2,2-dimethoxypropane Centella asiatica (TECA) madecassic acid) 0 0 HO., OH "'OGH3 diazo also 3 oz 4 4 Method 2 Two hydroxyl groups at 3- and 23-position of asiatic acid are protected with various ketone or aldehyde group to synthesize compounds represented by formula 5. [Provided that RrH and Rg=H, the compound is synthesized by the use of dimethyl sulfoxide and trimethylsilyl chloride.] The compound of the formula 5 is treated with chloromethyl octyl ether to synthesize a compound represented by the

formula 6. [See Scheme 2.] Scheme 2 HO S y¼)o HO 0 asiatic acid RfAoz 5 Ho chloromethyloctyl ether : 0-C8H17 HO.., chloromethyloctyl ether O-C8H17 Rt0Y Pg 6 (wherein, R6 and R7 are the same that are defined above.) Method 3 The hydroxyl group at 2-position of the compound 4 obtained above is treated with sodium hydride and imidazole, to be converted to alkoxide group. Carbon disulfide is added thereto and the mixture is heated under reflux, and then treated with methyl iodide to obtain a xanthate (7).

The resultant compound is treated with tributyltin hydride and catalytic amount of AIBN to give methyl 2-deoxy-3,23-O-isopropylidene asiatate (8), which is then deprotected to obtain methyl 2-deoxyasiatate (9). The compound 9 above is hydrolyzed to obtain 2-deoxyasiatic acid (10). From 2-deoxyasiatic acid (10), 2-deoxy-3,23-O-isopropylidene asiatic acid (11) is synthesized, which is then reacted under the condition described in

Method 2, to synthesize a compound represented by the formula 12.

[See Scheme 3.] Scheme 3 S 0 sodium disultide ;¼½¼)H3 n-Bu3SnH carbon hydride disulfiden-Bu3SnH methyl iodide oi c te HO 8 8 Hûz 2,2-dimethoxypropane 0 OH oMH HO - HO 10 71\0/ 11 RsC I y½o or 12 Method 4 Methyl 2-O-octyloxymethyl-3 ,23-O-isopropylidene asiatate (13) is synthesized by means of Method 2 from the compound 4 obtained above.

[See Scheme 4.]

Scheme 4 Method 5 The compound 3 obtained above is reacted with an alkyl halide under the conditions of Method 2, to synthesize a compound represented by the formula 14, which is acetylated at 2-position to synthesize a compound represented by the formula 15. [See Scheme 5.] Scheme 5 3 rev 0 COOPe id COOPe 3 acetic acid 0. - 0/ 14 $0 15 (wherein, R5 is the same that is defined above.) Method 6 From the compound 3 obtained above, ethoxymethyl 2-0- ethoxymethyl-3,23-O-isopropylidene asiatate (16) is obtained under the same conditions of Method 2 but with prolonged reaction time. By

means of the same method, benzyloxymethyl group is incorporated to COOH group at 28-position by using chloromethyl benzyl ether. The resultant compound is acetylated to synthesize benzyloxymethyl 3,23-0- diacetylasiatate (17). [See Scheme 6.] Scheme 6 N CH3CH20CH201, 1 SCOOCH20C2H5 chloromethylethyl ether 0/ 16 chloromethyl benzyl ether acetic acid N COOGH2OCH2Ph AcO AcO 17 Method 7 2,3-Hydroxy group of asiatic acid is converted to 2,3-epoxy group, and the obtained compound is reacted with a variety of nucleophilic compound to cause ring opening of epoxy group to prepare a series of novel compounds according to the present invention. In other words, the compound 4 obtained above is reacted with methanesulfonyl chloride to obtain methyl 2-O-methanesulfonyl-3 ,23-O-isopropylidene asiatate (18), which is then treated with PTSA to give methyl 2-0- methanesulfonyl asiatate (19). The obtained compound is then treated with potassium carbonate in methanol solvent to synthesize methyl 2,3- epoxyasiatate (20). The compound 20 is treated with lithium iodide

trihydrate and acetic acid to synthesize methyl 2- a -iodo-2-deoxyasiatate (21) of which epoxide has been opened. [See Scheme 7.] Scheme 7 N MsO.. COOCH3 methanesulfonyl chloride Loo 1 8 N 18 N te COOCH3 OCH3 potassium carbonate 0 HO HOZ 19 Hoi 20 HO 19 20 Lii i;½½½;oCH3 acetic acid HO y HO 21 Method 8 Dihydroxy group at 3- and 23-position of asiatic acid was methylidene protected by dimethylsulfoxide and trimethylsilyl chloride to synthesize a compound represented by the formula (5, Rf-Rg=H), which is then treated with pyridinium dichromate (PDC) to obtain a compound represented by the formula 22. The resultant compound is reacted with chloromethyl octyl ether to give a compound represented by the formula 23. [See Scheme 8.]

Scheme 8 HO < acid bi 5( Rf = 0 Hoi asiatic acid Xoi 5 ( Rf = Pg H APiDC o OH 22 chloromethyloctyl ether O Yo 23 The dose of the compound of the formula 1 is 0.05 to 150 mg/day for an adult. The dose usually varies depending on age and body weight of a patient, as well as the condition of symptoms.

The liver protection or treatment agents according to the present invention may be formulated into a suitable formulation for oral or parenteral administration by using conventional methods. For oral

administration, it may be formulated as tablets, capsules, solution, syrup or suspension, while for parenteral administration, as transdermal or hypodermic injections, or injections into abdominal cavity or muscles.

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Now, the present invention is described with reference to Examples, Preparation Examples and Experimental Examples. However, it should be noted that the present invention is not restricted to those examples.

Example 1: Isolation and purification of asiaticoside and asiatic acid in large scale Quantitative extract (5 g) of Centella asiatica was directly separated by column chromatography (silica gel, 230 - 400 mesh; dichloromethane/methanol = 10/1) to obtain asiatic acid (1.5 g), madecassic acid (1.4 g) and mixture (2.0 g) of asiaticoside and madecassoside. The obtained mixture was dissolved in minimum amount of 60% methanol, in a water bath at 1000C, and then cooled at room temperature to give pure asiaticoside as needle-like crystalline.

(m.p.: 230 - 240 oC) Separately, the extract (62 g) was dissolved in methanol (700 ml), and 5N sodium hydroxide solution(50ml) was added thereto, and the resultant mixture was heated under reflux for 10 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, neutralized, filtered and dried to obtain a mixture (2, 43g) of asiatic acid and madecassic acid.

Example 2: Preparation of 3,23-0-Isopropylidene asiatic acid (3) The mixture (12 g) of asiatic acid and madecassic acid, and p- toluenesulfonic acid (200 mg) were dissolved in anhydrous DMF (100 ml), and 2,2-dimethoxypropane (5 ml) was added thereto by injection.

The resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature for 14 hours, and then neutralized and concentrated under reduced pressure to remove the

solvent. After extracting, washing and drying, the residue was purified by column chromatography (dichloromethane:methanol = 30:1) to obtain 8.04 g of 3,23-0-isopropylidene asiatic acid (3).

<BR> <BR> -i <BR> <BR> <BR> IR (neat) : 3440, 1698, 1200 cm + + Mass (El) : m/e 528 (M ), 513 (M -Me), 482 (M -HCOOME), 452, 424, 407,248,203,189,133 H-NMR (CDCl3): 8 0.75, 1.04, 1.06, 1.09, 1.45, 1.46 (each s, 3H), 0.85 (d, 3H, J=6.4Hz), 0.95 (d, 3H, J=6.4Hz), 2.18 (d, 1H, J=11.2Hz), 3.32 (d, 1H, J=9.6Hz), 3.46, 3.51(ABq, 2H, J=10.8Hz), 3.78 (m, 1H), 5.24 (brt, 1H) Example 3: Preparation of Methyl 3,23-O-isopropylideneasiatate (4) 3,23-O-Isopropylidene asiatic acid (3) (5 g) was dissolved in ethyl ether, and ethereal solution of diazomethane was slowly added dropwise thereto at 0 C. After stirring at room temperature for 1 hour, the reaction mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure to remove ether, and the residue was purified by column chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate = 3:1) to obtain 4.9 g of methyl 3,23-0- isopropylidene asiatate (4) (95%).

.1 IR (neat) :3466, 1724, 1201 cm Mass (El) : mle 542 (M+), 527 (M+-Me), 482 (M+-HCOOME), 483, 467, 451, 407, 262, 203, 189, 133 1H-NMR (CDCl3): 3 0.66, 0.97, 1.00, 1.02, 1.40, 1.39 (each s, 3H), 0.79 (d, 3H, J=6.4Hz), 0.87 (d, 3H, J=6.0Hz), 2.15 (d, 1H), 3.25 (d, 1H,J=9.6Hz), 3.41 3.43 (ABq, 2H), 3.53 (s, 3H), 3.72 (m, 1H), 5.18 (brt, 1H) Example 4: Preparation of 3,23-0-alkylidene asiatic acid (5) (t) RrH, Rg=H Dimethyl sulfoxide (2.5 eq.) and trimethylsilyl chloride (2.5 eq.)

were added to TMF with stirring. Asiatic acid (2) obtained above (2.53 g, 5.18 mmol) was added thereto, and the mixture was heated under reflux and argon atmosphere for 3 days. The solvent was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by column chromatography (dichloromethane:methanol = 20:1) to obtain 2.01 g of pale yellow solid (yield: 79.45%).

HNMR (300MHz, CDCl3) 8 0.75, 1.05, 1.08, 1.12 (each s,3H), 0.85 (d, 3H, J=6.18Hz), 0.95 (d, 3H, J=5.76Hz), 2.19 (d, J=10.9Hz), 3.04,3.76 (ABq, 2H, J=10. 11Hz), 3.23 (d, 1H, J=10.23Hz), 3.87 (dt, 1H, J=4.26Hz, 10.02Hz), 4.95 (d,d, 2H, J=5.9Hz), 5.24 (t, 1H) QRt-H, Rg=CH3 Asiatic acid (255 mg, 0.52 mmol) obtained above was dried over p- toluenesulfonic acid under reduced pressure. Then the compound was dissolved in anhydrous THF, and CH3CH(OEt)2 (0.15 ml) was added dropwise thereto, and the resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. To the reaction mixture, saturated solution of sodium carbonate was added by injection, and the solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. The residue was diluted with ethyl acetate, washed and dried, and purified by column chromatography (dichloromethane:methanol = 20:1) to obtain 178 mg of the title compound (yield: 66.2%).

-1 IR (neat) 2926, 1695 cm Mass (EI) m/e 514 [M ] H NMR (300MHz, CDCl3) 8 5.14 (t, 1H), 4.64 (qt, 1H, J=4.92Hz), 3.75 (m, 1H), 3.63, 2.97 (ABq, 2H, J=10.111z), 3.17 (d, 1H, J=10.4Hz), 0.98, 0.95, 0.65 (each s, 3H), 0.85 (d, 3H, J=5,49Hz), 0.75 (d, 3H, J=6.39Hz)

3 Rf=H, Rg=C6H5 Excepting from substituting C6H5CH(OMe)2 for CH3CH(OEt)2, the same procedure as Example 4G2 was performed (yield:32.1%).

-1 IR (neat) 3437, 1696 cm Mass (EI) m/e 576 [M ] 578 lH NMR (300MHz, CDCl3) 8 7.52 ~ 7.49 (m, 2H), 7.37 ~ 7.35(m, 3H), 5.53(s, 1H), 5.24(t, 1H), 3.90, 3.30(ABq, 2H, J=10.1 1Hz), 3.47(d, 1H, J=10.47Hz), 2.18 (d, 1H, J=11.46Hz), 1.19, 1.09, 4.07, 0.77 (each s, 3H), 0.93 (d, 3H, J=6.09Hz), 0.85 (d, 3H, J=6.33Hz) (A) Rf=CH3, Rg=C2H5 Excepting from substituting C2H5COCH3 for CH3CH(OEt)2, the same procedure as Example 4(2) was performed (yield:58.96%).

.1 IR (neat) 3436, 1694 cm Mass (EI) m/e 542 [M ] 1HNMR(300MHz,CDCl3) 8 5.18(t, 1H),3.68, 3.47 (ABq, 2H, J=4.26Hz), 3.48 (d, 1H, J=7.05Hz), 2.12(d, lH,J=10.65Hz), 0.97, 0.89, 0.69 (each s, 3H) 5 Rf=CH3, Rg=C3H7 Excepting from substituting C3H7COCH3 for CH3CH(OEt)2, the same procedure as Example 42 was performed (yield:43.01%).

-1 IR (neat) 3369, 2928, 1694 cm + Mass (EI) m/e 558 [M +2] HNMR(300MHz, CDCl3) 8 5.18 (t, 1H), 3. 79 ~ 3.75 (m, 1H), 3.18 (d, 1H, J=10.23Hz), 3.67, 2.98 (ABq, 2H, J=9.8Hz), 2.12 (d, 1H, J=10.65Hz), 1.05, 1.01, 0.98, 0.69 (each s, 3H),

0.88 (d, 3H, J=5.55Hz), 0.79 (d, 3H, J=6.39Hz) OG Rf*Rg=-(CH2)5- Excepting from substituting cyclohexanone for CH3CH(OEt)2, the same procedure as Example 4?2 was performed.

Mass (EI) m/e 'H NMR (300MHz, CDCl3) 8 0.77, 0.96, 1.07 (each s, 3H), 0.85 (d, 3H, J=6.33Hz), 2.18 (d, 1H, J=11.46Hz), 3.24 (d, 1H, J=9.51Hz), 3.41, 3.59 (ABq, 2H, J=10.47Hz), 3.76 (dt, 1H, J=8.54Hz), 5.23 (t, 1H) Example 5 Preparation of octyloxymethyl 3, 23-O-alkylidene asiatate(6) (t) RrH, Rg=H The compound 5(258.4mg, 0.52mmol) obtained in Example 40 above was dissolved in anhydrous dichloromethane.

Diisopropylethylamine(0.18ml) was added thereto and stirred at room temperature for 10 minutes. At 0 C, chloromethyloctyl ether(0.lml) was added dropwise thereto and stirred for 5 minutes. Methanol was added thereto and the residue was refined by column chromatography (dichloromethane:methanol=30: 1) to obtain 138mg of white solid (yield: 41.6%).

1HNMR(400MHz, CDCl3) 8 0.76, 1.05, 1.09, 1.13 (each s, 3H), 0.88 (d, 3H, J=5.6Hz), 0.95 (d, 3H, J=6.36Hz), 2.25 (d, 1H, J=10.8Hz), 3.04, 3.76 (ABq, 2H, J=10.OHz), 3.22 (d, 1H, J=10.8Hz), 3.58 (m, 2H), 4.94 (d,d, 2H, J=6.0Hz), 5.21, 5.24 (ABq, 2H, J=5.88Hz), 5.26 (t, 1H) G2 RrH, Rg=CH3 Excepting from substituting the compound 5 obtained in Example

4G2 for the compound 5 obtained in Example 41 above, the same procedure as Example 5( was performed.

-1<BR> <BR> IR (neat) 3481, 2927, 1732 cm + Mass (E1) m/e 656 [M ]<BR> <BR> <BR> HNMR(300MHz, CDCl3) S 5.22 (t, 1H), 5.20, 5.17 (ABq, 2H,J=6.21Hz), 4.69 (qt, 1H, J=4.95Hz), 3.84~3.77 (m, 1H), 3.69, 3.03(ABq, 2H, J=10.07Hz), 3.55 (m, 2H), 2.22 (d, 1H, J=11.16Hz), 1.05, 1.00, 0.95, 0.72 (each s, 3H), 0.84 (d, 3H, J=2.55Hz), 0.82 (d, 3H, J=2.19Hz) G3 RH, Rg=C6H5 Excepting from substituting the compound 5 obtained in Example 43 for the compound 5 obtained in Example 41 above, the same procedure as Example 50 was performed (yield:23.8%).

IR (neat) 3697, 1730 cm-1 Mass (ET) m/e 719 [M +1] 4 Rf=CH3, Rg=C2Hs Excepting from substituting the compound 5 obtained in Example 4(4) for the compound 5 obtained in Example 41 above, the same procedure as Example 50 was performed (yield:58.96%).

IR (neat) 3469, 1733 cm-1 Mass (EI) m/e 684 [M+] 111NMR(300MHz, CDCl3) 8 5.16 (t, 1H), 5.14, 5.1 1(ABq, 2H, J=6.29Hz), 3.68(m,1H), 3.48 (m, 2H,), 3.24 (d, 1H, J=9.57Hz), 2.16(d, lH,J=11.5Hz), 1.00, 0.96, 0.91, 0.66 (each s, 3H), 0.84(d,1H,J=5.55Hz), 0.76(d,1H,J=5.73Hz)

5 Rf=CH3, Rg=C3H7 Excepting from substituting the compound 5 obtained in Example 45 for the compound 5 obtained in Example 4();) above, the same procedure as Example 50 was performed (yield:80.2%).

1 IR (neat) 3468, 2927, 1729 cm Mass (EI) m/e 698 [M ] 111NMR(400MHz, CDCl3) 8 5.26 ~ 5.20 (m, 2H), 5.10 (t, 1H), 3.87 - 3.84 (m, 1H), 3.60 ~ 3.56 (m, 2H), 2.27 (d, 1H), 1.08, 1.07, 1.03, 0.76 (each s, 3H), 0.94 (d, 3H, J=5.84Hz), 0.87 (d, 3H, J=5.4Hz) Q6 RfRg = -(CH2)5- Excepting from substituting the compound 5 obtained in Example 4Q6 for the compound 5 obtained in Example 41 above, the same procedure as Example 5( was performed (yield: 34%).

Mass (EI) m/e 710 [M ], 667, 596, 567, 522, 521 'H NMR (400MHz, CDCl3) 8 0.75, 0.95, 1.03 (each s, 3H), 0.87 (d, 3H, J=5.86Hz), 1.09 (d, 311, J=3.9Hz), 2.10 (d, 1H, J=4.40Hz), 3.35 (d, 1H, J=9.77Hz), 3.48, 3.52 (ABq, 2H, J=1 1.24Hz), 3.58 (m, 2H), 3.8 (m, 1H), 5.21, 5.24 (dd, 2H, J=5.86Hz), 5.26 (t, 1H) Example 6 : Preparation of methyl 3, 23-O-isopropylidene-2-O- [(methylthio)thiocarbonyl] asiatate(7) Sodium hydride(60% dispersion of inorganic oil, 18.3 mg, 0.46 mmole), imidazole(2 mg) and tetrahydrofuran(2 ml) were added to methyl 3, 23-O-isopropylidene asiatate (4) (50 mg, 0.092 mmole) and the resultant mixture was stirred for 30 minutes. Carbon disulfide(0.2 ml, excessive amount) was added thereto and refluxed for 2 hours. Methyl

iodide (0.1 ml, excessive amount) was added thereto and heated under reflux again for 1 hour. The reactant mixture was treated with water and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. After extracting, washing and drying the residue was refined by column chromatography(hexane:ethyl acetate = 10:1) to obtain 56 mg of white solid (yield : 96%).

<BR> <BR> -I <BR> <BR> <BR> IR (neat):1723, 1233, 1057 cm HNMR (CDCl3) 8 5.78(1H,m), 5.24(1H,bt), 3.80(1H,d,J=10Hz), 3.60(3H,s), 3.54, 3.58(2H,dd,J=7.2Hz), 2.51(3H,s), 2.23(1H,d,J=11.2Hz), 0.94(3H,d, J=5.2Hz), 0.84(3H,d,J=6Hz), 0.73, 1.09, 1.11, 1.14, 1.41, 1.45 (each3H,s).

Example 7 : Preparation of methyl 2-deoxy-3, 23-O-isopropylidene asiatate(8) A catalytic amount of AIBN and benzene(lOml) were added to xanthate compound (7)(202mg, 0.32mmole) obtained above. Tributyltin hydride(0.26ml, 0.96mmole) was added thereto with the resultant heated under reflux and stirred for 1 hour and a half. The reactant mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure and the solvent was removed. The obtained residue was refined by column chromatography(hexane:ethyl acetate = 10:1) to obtain 168 mg of white solid (yield : 100%). The product was recrystallized with hexane to yield needle-like crystalline.

I <BR> <BR> <BR> IR (neat): 1724 cm MS (EI) : 527(M++1), 512, 407, 262, 203, 133.

11 NMR (CDCl3) 8 5.25(1H,bt), 3.60(3H,s), 3.52(1H,t), 3.44, 3.54(2H,dd,J=10Hz), 2.23(1H,d,J=11.2Hz), 0.94 (3H, d, J=5.6Hz), 0.86(3H,d,J=6.4Hz), 0.73, 0.97, 1.07, 1.09, 1.42, 1.45(each 3H,s) Example 8 : Preparation of methyl 2-deoxyasiatate(9)

Tetrahydrofuran(10 ml) and 1N HCl solution(lml) were added to the compound(8) (460mg, 0.87mmole) obtained above and stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The solvent was totally removed by distillation under reduced pressure. The obtained residue was refined by column chromatography(hexane:ethyl acetate = 3:2) to obtain 402 mg of white solid (yield : 95%). The crude product obtained was recrystallized with ethyl acetate to yield needle-like crystalline.

-1<BR> <BR> <BR> IR (neat) : 3400, 1724 cm MS (EI) : 486(M ), 426, 262, 203, 133 Example 9 : Preparation of 2-deoxyasiatic acid (10) LiI-3H2O (450mg, 2.39mmole) and 2,4,6-colidine(5ml) was added to methyl 2-deoxyasiatate (9) (38mg, 0.78mmole) and heated under reflux for 10 hours. The flask was covered with aluminum foil to block light during reflux. The reactant solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to remove collidine. The obtained residue was refined by column chromatography(dichloromethane:methanol=20: 1) to obtain pale yellow solid (yield : 99%). The product obtained was recrystallized with methanol to yield 280 mg of needle-like crystalline(yield: 76%).

-i <BR> <BR> <BR> IR (KBr) : 3436, 1693 cm MS (El) : 472(M ), 426, 248, 203, 133 H NMR (CDCl3 + pyridine-d5) 8 5.21(1H,bt,J=2.8Hz,3.6Hz), 3.60(1H,t,J=7.2Hz,8.2Hz), 3.36, 3.70 (2H,dd,J=10.OHz), 2.21(1H,d,J=1 1.2Hz).

Example 10 : Preparation of 2-deoxy-3, 23-O-isopropylidene asiatic acid (11) Excepting from substituting the compound 10 for the mixture of asiatic acid and madecassic acid, the same procedure as Example 2 was performed (yield:59.9%).

-1<BR> <BR> <BR> IR (neat) 2928, 1697 cm 'H NMR (400MHz, CDCl3) 8 5.25 (d, 1H), 3.52 (t, 1H), 2.17 (d, 1H), 1.44, 1.40, 1.10, 1.04, 0.98, 0.78 (each s, 3H), 0.95 (d, 3H, J=6.4Hz), 0.87 (d, 3H, J=6.4Hz) Example 11 : Preparation of octyloxymethyl 2-deoxy-3, 23-0- isopropylidene asiatate(12, Re=octyloxymethyl) Excepting from substituting the compound 11 for the compound 5 in Example 50 above, the same procedure as Example 50 was performed (yield:53.9%).

IR (neat) 2929, 1733 cm-1 Mass (EI) m/e 654 [M ] lH NMR (500MHz, CDCl3) 8 5.17 (t, 1H), 5.14, 5.12 (ABq, 2H, J=6.02Hz), 3.49 ~ 3.48 (m, 2H), 3.46, 3.34(ABq,2H,J=6.17Hz), 2.15 (d, 1H), 1.35, 1.32, 1.01, 0.96, 0.67 (each s, 3H), 0.87 (d, 3H, J=7.04Hz), Example 12 Preparation of ethyloxymethyl 2-deoxy-3, 23-0- isopropylidene asiatate(12, Re=ethyloxymethyl) Excepting from substituting the compound 11 for the compound 5 in Example 5( and substituting chloromethylethyl ether for chloromethyloctyl ether, the same procedure as Example 5( was performed (yield:46%).

<BR> <BR> -I <BR> <BR> <BR> IR (neat) 2929, 1733 cm Mass (EI) m/e 570 [M ] 'H NMR (500MHz, CDCl3) 8 5.16 (t, 1H), 5.16 (s, 2H), 3.60, 3.58(ABq, 2H, J=1.36Hz), 3.45 ~ 3.35 (m, 311), 2.15 (d, 1H), 1.45, 1.38, 1.34, 1.04, 0.98, 0.70 (each s, 3H), 0.88 (d, 3H, J=6.32Hz), 0.79 (d, 3H, J=2.24Hz)

Example 13 : Preparation of tetrahydropyranyl 2-deoxy-3, 23-0- isopropylidene asiatate (12, Re=2-tetrahydropyranyl) The compound 11(133mg, 0.26mmol) and pyridinium paratoluene sulfonate(catalytic amount) were dissolved in anhydrous dichloromethane.

Dihydropyrane(0.07ml) was added dropwise thereto and stirred at room temperature for 40 hours. The resultant was neutralized and the solvent was removed under reduced pressure. After extracting, washing and drying, the residue was refined by column chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=8:1) to 73mg of the compound(12, Re=2-tetrahydropyranyl) (yield:47.2%).

-1 IR (neat) 2945, 1733 cm 'HNMR(400MHz, CDCl3) 8 5.96(t, 1/2H), 5.92(t, 1/2H), 5.28(t, 1/2H), 5.26 (t, 1/2H), 3.88 (t, 1H), 3.67 (t, 1H), 3.52 (t, 2H), 3.46 (t, 2H), 1.45, 1.42, 1.11, 1.05, 0.96 (each s, 3H), 0.87 (d, 3H, J=6.4Hz) Example 14 : Preparation of methyl 2-O-octyloxymethyl-3,23-O- isopropylidene asiatate (13) Excepting from substituting the compound 4 for the compound 5 in Example 5(1), the same procedure as Example 50 was performed.

-I <BR> <BR> IR (neat) 2927, 1728 cm Mass (EI) m/e 684 [M ] lHNMR(500MHz, CDCl3) 8 5.18 (t, 1H), 4.73, 4.62 (ABq, 2H, J=6.72Hz), 3.70 ~ 3,65 (m, 1H), 3.53 (s, 3H), 3.35 (d, 1H, J=9.76Hz), 1.36, 1.33, 1.02, 1.01, 0.96, 0.66 (each s, 3H), 0.87 (d, 3H, J=6.18Hz), 0.79 (d, 3H, J=6.46Hz) Example 15 : Preparation of methoxymethyl 3, 23-O-isopropylidene asiatate (14, Re=methoxymethyl)

Excepting from substituting the compound 3 for the compound 5 in Example 50 and substituting chloromethylmethyl ether for chloromethyloctyl ether, the same procedure as Example 50 was performed (yield: 19%).

mp. 104-112°C HNMR(300MHz, CDCl3): # 0.77,1.04,1.08,1.11, 1.45, 1.46(each s,311), 0.87 (d, 311, J=6.3Hz), 0.96(d, 311, J=5.7Hz), 2.27 (d, 1H, J=11.1Hz), 3.32 (d, 1H, J=9.6Hz), 3.45 (s, 3H), 3.47 (d, 1H, 9.6Hz), 3.55 (d, 1H, 9Hz), 3.79 (m, 1H), 5.17 (d, 1H, 6Hz), 5.20 (d, 2H, J=6Hz), 5.28 (t, 1H, J=3.5Hz) .1 IR (KBr) cm 3500, 2950, 1740, 1450, 1380, 1065, 925, 860 23 [α]o23 = +10.4° (c=0.2, CHCl3) Example 16 : Preparation of ethoxymethyl 3, 23-O-isopropylidene asiatate (14, Re=ethoxymethyl) Excepting from substituting the compound 3 for the compound 5 in Example 50 and substituting chloromethylethyl ether for chloromethyloctyl ether, the same procedure as Example 50 was performed (yield:46%).

-I IR (neat) : 3468, 1734 cm MS(EI)m/z:586(M+) H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl3) 8 5.27 (t,lH), 5.23 (s,2H), 3.74 - 3.82 (m,1H), 3.66 (q,2H,J=7.6Hz), 3.53, 3.44 (ABq, 2H), 3.32 (d, 1H, J=9.6Hz), 2.25 (d, 1H), 1.46, 1.44, 1.10 (ABq, 2H), 1.07, 1.03, 0.76 (each s, 311), 1.22 (t, 311, J=6.8Hz), 0.95 (d, 311, J=5.6Hz), 0.86 (d, 3H, J=6.4Hz) Example 17 : Preparation of methoxyethoxymethyl 3, 23-0- isopropylidene asiatate (14, Re=methoxyethoxymethyl)

Excepting from substituting the compound 3 for the compound 5 in Example 50 and substituting methoxyethoxymethyl chloride for chloromethyloctyl ether, the same procedure as Example 50 was performed (yield:25%).

mp. 76-79°C HNMR(300MHz,CDCl3): 8 0.77,1.04,1.08,1.11, 1.45, 1.46 (each s, 3H), 0.86 (d, 6.3Hz, J=3Hz), 0.96 (d, 3H, J=5.7Hz), 2.2-0.9 (m, 2111), 2.26 (d, 1H, J=10.2Hz), 3.32 (d, 1H, J=9.6Hz), 3.39 (s, 3H), 3.47 (d, J=9.0Hz), 3.52 (d, 1H, J=9.0Hz), 3.55 (t, 2H, J=5.1Hz), 3.77 (m, 1H), 3.77 (t, 2H, J=5.1Hz), 5.26 (t, 1H, J=3.6Hz), 5.28 (s, 2H) IR (KBr) cm-1 3500, 2950, 1725, 1450, 1380, 1070, 940, 860 24 [ a ]O = +38.7° (c=0.1, CHCl3) Example 18 : Preparation of methoxymethyl 2-O-acetyl-3, 23-0- isopropylideneasiatate(1 5, Re=methoxymethyl) The compound 1 4(R5=methoxymethyl, 139mg, 0.24mmol) obtained above was dissolved in pyridine and stirred. Acetic anhydride(0.04ml, 0.38mmol) was added thereto and stirred for 2 days.

The resultant was concentrated under reduced pressure , washed, dried and refined by column chromatography (dichloromethane:methanol=30: 1) to 75mg of white solid (yield:52%).

mp. 110-1150C H NMR (300MHz, CDCl3): 8 0.77, 1.09, 1.11, 1.12, 1.41, 1.43, 2.01 (each s, 311), 0.86 (d, 3H, J=6.3Hz), 0.95 (d, 3H, J=6Hz), 2.27 (d, 1H, J=10.8Hz), 3.45 (s, 3H), 3.50 (d, 1H, J=9.6Hz), 3.52 (d, 1H, J=9.6Hz), 3.56 (d, 311, J=9Hz), 5.0 (m, 1H), 5.17 (d, 1H, J=6Hz), 5.20 (d, 1H, J=6Hz), 5.27 (t, 1H, J=3.5Hz) <BR> <BR> -1<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> IR (KBr) cm 2950, 2740, 1450, 1240, 1080, 1025, 950, 800

24 [ a ]O = +43.6° (c=0.1, CHCl3) Example 19: Preparation of ethoxymethyl 2-O-acetyl-3, 23-0- isopropylideneasiatate(15, Re=ethoxymethyl) Excepting from substituting the compound 14 (R5=ethoxymethyl) obtained for the compound 14 (R5=methoxymethyl) used in Example 18, the same procedure as Example 18 was performed (yield:91%).

mp. 136-1379C HNMR(300MHz, CDCl3): 8 0.85 (d, 3H, J=6. 1Hz), 0.95 (d, 3H, J=5.7Hz), 1.01, 1.06, 1.08, 1.41, 1.43, 2.01 (each s, 3H), 0.9-2.2 (m, 20H), 1.21 (t, 7.3Hz), 2.26 (d, 1H, 11.1Hz), 3.48 (d, 1H, J=9Hz), 3.53 (d, 1H, J=9Hz), 3.54 (d, 1H, J=10.7Hz), 3.66 (q, 2H, J=7.3Hz), 5.00 (dt, 1H, 4.3, 10.7Hz), 5.23 (s, 2H), 5.26 (t, 1H, J=4.2Hz) 24 -0.66 [α]o24 = -0.66 (c=0.34, CC14) Example 20 : Preparation of ethoxymethyl 2-O-ethoxymethyl-3, 23- O-isopropylideneasiatate (16) Excepting from substituting the compound 3 for the compound 5 obtained in Example 50 above, and substituting chloromethylethyl ether for chloromethyloctyl ether , the same procedure as Example 50 was performed (yield: 19%).

mp. 68-70°C HNMR(300MHz, CDCl3): S 0.86 (d, 3H, J=6.3Hz), 0.95 (d, 3H, J=5.7Hz), 0.80, 1.05, 1.10, 1.41, 1.51 (each s, 3H), 0.9-2.2 (m, 20H), 1.22 (t, 3H, J=7.2Hz), 2.26 (d, 1H, J=11.1Hz), 3.35 (d, 1H, J=9Hz), 3.39 (d, 1H, J=9Hz), 3.46 (d, 1H, J=9.6Hz), 3.60 (q, 2H, J=7.2Hz), 3.76 (q, 2H, J=7.2Hz), 3.80 (dt, 1H, 4.2, 9.6Hz), 4.67 (s, 2H), 5.24 (s, 2H),

5.27 (t, 1H, J=3.6Hz) <BR> <BR> -i <BR> <BR> <BR> IR (KBr) cm 2950, 1715, 1450, 1380, 1020, 925, 860 24 [a], +33.1 (c=0.1, CHCl3) Example 21 Preparation of benzyloxymethyl 3, 23-O-diacetyl asiatate (17) Excepting from substituting the compound 3 for the compound 5 obtained in Example 50 and substituting chloromethylbenzyl ether for chloromethyloctyl ether , the same procedure as Example 50 was performed and then synthesized through acetylization (yield:45%).

H NMR(300MHz, CDCl3): 8 0.75, 0.85, 0.99, 1.10, 2.04, 2.09 (each s, 3H), 0.89 (d, 311, J=6.3Hz), 0.9-2.2 (m, 2111), 2.27 (d, 1H, J=12.9Hz), 3.57 (d, J=1 1.7Hz), 3.83 (d, J=1 1.7Hz), 3.90 (dt, 1H, 3.9, 10.2Hz), 4.68 (s, 211), 5.04 (d, 1H, J=10.2Hz), 5.28 (t, 1H, J=3.6Hz), 5.32 (s, 3H), 7.34 (s, 511) IR (neat) cm-1 2950, 2740, 1450, 1380, 1065, 925, 860, 800 25 [ a = +25.250 (c=0.1, CHC13) Example 22 : Preparation of methyl 2-O-methanesulfonyl-3, 23-0- isopropylideneasiatate (18) Methyl 3, 23-O-isopropylidene asiatic acid (4) (354.7mg, 0.65mmole) was dissolved in dichloromethane(lSml). Triethyl amine(82.4mg, 0.72mmole) and methanesulfonyl chloride(99.2mg, 0.98mmole) were added thereto and stirred at 0 0C for 3 hours under nitrogen atmosphere. After the reaction was finished, the solvent was removed. After extracting, washing and drying, the residue was refined by column chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=2: 1) to 380mg of pure the compound 18 as white solid (yield:93%).

HNMR(CDCl3) 8 5.24(1H, m), 4.69-4.62 (1H, m), 3.60 (311, s), 3.57 (1H, d ,J=10.SHz), 3.53 (1H, d, J=10.5Hz), 3.49 (1H, d, J=10.5Hz), 3.01(311, s), 2.26-2.20 (1H, m), 2.23(1H, bs), 1.44 (3H, s), 1.40 (3H, s), 1.11(3H, s), 1.09 (3H, s), 1.07 (3H, s), 0.94 (3H, d, J=6.0Hz), 0.85 (3H, d, J=7.0Hz), 0.72(3H,s) Example 23 : Preparation of methyl 2-O-methanesulfonyl asiatate (19) The compound 18(1 .2g, 1 .92mmole) obtained above was dissolved in methanol(30ml). p-toluenesulfonic acid(480mg, 2.52mmole) was added thereto and refluxed for 10 minutes under nitrogen atmosphere.

The reactant was neutralized, extracted, washed, dried and refined by column chromatography (hexane:ethyl acetate=1 :1) to obtain 1.06g of the pure compound 19 as colorless oil(yield : 94%).

11 NMR (CDCl3) 8 5.24 (111, m), 4.77-4.74 (1H, m), 3.69 (1H, d, J=10.SHz), 3.61 (3H,s), 3.44 (1H, d, J=10.SHz), 3.70 (1H, bs), 3.10(3H, s), 1.08 (3H, s), 1.07 (3H, s), 0.95 (3H, s), 0.94 (3H, d, J=5.lHz), 0.85 (3H, d, J=6.5Hz), 0.74 (3H, s) Example 24 : Preparation of methyl 2,3-epoxyasiatate (20) The compound 19(2.78g, 4.77mmole) obtained above was dissolved in methanol(60ml). Potassium carbonate(1.32g, 9.53mmole) was added thereto and stirred at room temperature for 3 days under nitrogen atmosphere. After the reaction was finished, solvent was removed. After extracting, washing and drying, the residue was refined by column chromatography (hexane : ethyl acetate=2: 1) to obtain 2.05g of the pure compound 20 as white solid (yield: 89%).

m.p. : 230-234°C <BR> <BR> -1<BR> <BR> <BR> IR (KBr) : 3400, 2920, 1730, 1430, 1450, 1200, 1040 cm

HNMR (CDCl3) 8 5.27 (111, m), 3.60 (3H, s), 3.56 (111, m), 3.31(111, m), 3.27 (111,m), 3.11(1H, d, J=4.0Hz), 1.12 (311, s), 1.6(3H, s), 0.96 (3H, s), 0.94 (3H, d, J=5.1Hz), 0.86 (3H, d, J=6.4Hz), 0.74 (3H, s) Example 25 : Preparation of methyl 2 -iodo-2-deoxyasiatate(21) The compound 20(24.5mg, 0.05mmol), LiI 3H20(98mg, 10.3eq) were dissolved in THF(Sml). AcOH(0.5ml) was added thereto with stirring, and the resultant was reacted for 1 day under argon atmosphere.

The resultant was diluted with water, extracted with ethyl acetate, washed with brine and 10% Na2S203 solution, dried, and refined by column chromatography(hexane:ethyl acetate = 3:1) to obtain 16.5mg of colorless solid (yield: 53.3%).

H NMR (300MHz, CDCl3): 8 0.74, 0.85, 1.02, 1.08 (each s, 3H), 0.86 (d, 3H, J=6.3Hz), 0.94 (d, 3H, J=5.13Hz), 2.24 (d, 1H, J=11.2Hz), 3.42, 3.72 (ABq, 2H, J=12.7Hz), 3.60 (s, 3H), 4.57 (dt, 1H), 5.25 (t, 1H) Mass (EI) m/e 612 [M ], 552, 467, 407, 349 Example 26 : Preparation of 3,23-O-methylidene-2-oxoasatic acid(22) The compound 5( RrRg=H, l.lg 2.2mmole) and pyridinium dichromate(0.83g, 2.2mmole) were dissolved in anhydrous dichloromethane. Acetic anhydride (0.62ml) was added thereto and heated under reflux for 2 hours. The reactant was diluted with ethyl acetate, filtrated and refined by column chromatography (dichloromethane : methanol = 20 1) to obtain the compound 23(0.32g, yield 29.2%) HNMR(300MHz, CDCl3) 8 0.75, 1.02, 1.07, 1.13 (each s, 3H), 0.95 (d, 3H, J=5.9Hz), 0.85 (d, 3H, J=6.3Hz), 2.11-2.21 (m, 2H), 2.39 (d, 1H, J=12.7Hz),

3.42, 3.84 (ABq, 2H, J=10.4Hz), 4.10 (s, 1H), 4.69, 5.20 (ABq, 2H, J=5.9Hz), 5.23 (t, 1H) Example 27 : Preparation of Octyloxymethyl 3,23-O-methylidene-2- oxoasiatate(23) Except from substituting the compound 22 for the compound 5 used in Example 5a), the same procedure as Example 50 was performed(yield : 44%).

H NMR (300MHz, CDCl3) 8 0.78, 1.02, 1.10, 1.14 (each s, 3H), 0.87 (d, 3H, J=7.3Hz), 0.95 (d, 3H, J=5.9Hz), 2.13, 2.40 (ABq, 2H, J=12.7Hz), 2.27 (d, 1H, J=1 1.5Hz), 3.42, 3.84 (ABq, 2H, J=10.lHz), 3.58 (dt, 2H, J=5.6Hz), 4.10 (s, 1 111), 4.69, 5.24 (ABq, 2H, J=6.1Hz), 5.20-5.25 (m, 2H), 5.25 (t, 1H) Preparation Example 1: Tablets Active component 2.5mg Lactose BP 151.Omg Starch BP 30.0mg Pre-gelatinized corn starch BP 15.0mg The active component was sieved, and mixed with lactose, starch and pre-gelatinized corn starch. Suitable amount of purified water was added thereto and the mixture was granulated. After drying, the granules were mixed with magnesium stearate and pressed to prepare tablets.

Preparation Example 2: Capsules Active component 2.5mg Starch 1500 96.5mg Magnesium stearate BP 1.0mug The active component was sieved and mixed with vehicles. The mixture was filled in gelatin capsules.

Preparation Example 3: Injections Active component 800,ug/mQ Dilute hydrochloric acid BP until pH 3.5 Injectable sodium chloride BP maximum lmE Active component was dissolved in proper amount of injectable sodium chloride BP, and the pH of the resultant solution was adjusted to 3.5 by adding dilute hydrochloric acid BP. Then the volume of the solution was adjusted by using injectable sodium chloride BP, and the solution was thoroughly mixed. The solution was charged into 5 ml typel ampoule made of transparent glass, and the ampoule was sealed under the upper lattice of air, by fusing the glass. Then the ampoule was sterilized by autoclaving at 1200C for 15 minutes or more, to give injection.

Experimental example 1. Protection effect of asiatic acid derivatives against galactosamine-induced toxicity of liver cell To investigate the protection effect of the compounds of the formula 1 of this invention, i. e. 2-oxoasiatic acid, 2-methylasiatic acid, methyl 2 a -acetoxyurs- 1 2-en-23 -al-3 -on-28-oate, tetrahydropyranyl 3 ,23- diacetoxyurs-12-en-28-oate, ethoxymethyl 2 a -hydroxy-3 P ,23- isopropylidendioxyurs- 12-en-28-oate, methyl 2,3- P -epoxy- 12-en-23- carbomethoxyurs-28-oate, methyl 2,3 - P -epoxy- 1 2-en-23 -benzamidours- 28-oate, 1-ethoxyethyl asiatate and 2',3',4',6'- tetra-O-acetylglucosyl 2,3,23 -tri-O-acetylurs-2 8 -oate, against galactosamine-induced toxicity of liver cell, the following experiment was performed.

As experimental animals, male Wister rats weighing between 150-200 g were used. All rats were fasted during 18-24 h, and then the isolation of liver cells was performed by using the two-step collagenase flow-through method [D. M. Crisp and C. I. Pogson, Biochem., 126, 1009

(1972)], which is a form that the Berry & Friend method [M. N. Berry and D. S. Friend, J. Cell, Biol., 43, 5006 (1969)] is a little modified.

The isolated liver cells were incubated in a normal incubation medium for 1.5 h, and then more incubated in 1.5 mM galactosamine- containing incubation medium for 14 h to induce liver cells to get into the toxicity of galactosamine [Y. Kris, M. Tohkin and H. Hikino, J. Nat.

Prod., 46, 841(1983)].

These liver cells getting into toxicity induced by said methods were incubated separately in the incubation mediums containing said compounds of S ,ag/mQ and 50 ,ag/mQ. Then, withdrawing the incubation medium, the activity of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) was determined by the Reitman-Frankel method [S. Reitman and S. Frankel, Am, J. Cli. Pathol., 28, 56 (1957)]. The GPT value of healthy liver cell was defined as 100%, and that of liver cell getting into toxicity induced by said methods was defined as 0 %. At the basis of said definition, the GPT values of liver cells recovered from galactosamine-induced toxicity by the compounds were converted into relative protections (%) to show the protection effect of liver cell against the toxicity by the compounds.

The results were showed in Table 1.

Table 1: Protection effects of asiatic acid derivatives against galactosamine-induced toxicity of liver cell at the concentration of 5 and 50 ,ug/mQ. Relative liver cell protection (%) Compounds 5 ,ug/lnQ of 50 µg/ml of compound compound concentration concentration 2-Oxoasiatic acid 15 62 2-Methylasiatic acid 43 62 Methyl 2 -acetoxyurs-12-en-23-al-3-on-28- 42 80 oate

Tetrahydropyranyl 3 ,23 -diacetoxyurs- 12-en- 58 66 28-oate Ethoxymethyl 2 a -hydroxy-3 P ,23- 66 45 isopropylidendioxyurs- 12-en-28-oate Methyl 2,3- P -epoxy-12-en-23- 26 53 carbomethoxyurs-28-oate Methyl 2,3- -epoxy-12-en-23-benzamidours- 38 40 28-oate l-Ethoxyethyl asiatate 66 0 2',3 ',4',6'-Tetra-O-acetylglucosyl 2,3,23-tri-O- 79 21 acetylurs-28-oate The asiatic acid derivatives of the formula 1 according to this invention showed the protection effect of 15-79 % against galactosamine-induced toxicity of liver cell at their concentration of S jig /mQ, and except for 1-ethoxyethyl asiatate, all of the test compounds showed the protection effect of 21-80 % at their concentration of 50 ,ag/ mE.

Experimental example 2. Protection effect of asiatic acid derivatives against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity of liver cell To investigate the protection effect of the compounds of the formula 1 of this invention against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity of liver cell, the following experiment was performed.

The experiment was performed in the same manner as in Experimental example 1, except that carbon tetrachloride was used by following method to induce liver cells to get into the toxicity.

The isolated liver cells were incubated in a normal incubation medium for 24 h, and then more incubated in 10 mM carbon tetrachloride-containing incubation medium for 1.5 h to induce liver cells to get into the toxicity of carbon tetrachloride [Y. Kiso, Y. Suzuki and H. Hikino, Planta. Med., 49, 222 (1983)]. The results were showed in

Table 2.

Table 2: Protection effects of asiatic acid derivatives against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity of liver cell at the concentration of 5 and 50 µg/ml. Relative liver cell protection (%) 5 µg/ml of 50 µg/ml of Compounds 5 ijg/rn of 50 jig/rn of compound compound concentration concentration 2-Oxoasiatic acid 30 44 2-Methylasiatic acid 29 9 Methyl 2 a -acetoxyurs-12-en-23-al-3-on-28-oate 21 0 Tetrahydropyranyl 3 P ,23-diacetoxyurs-12-en-28- 42 30 oate Ethoxymethyl 2 a -hydroxy-3 P ,23- 15 5 isopropylidendioxyurs- 12-en-28-oate Methyl 2,3-P -epoxy-12-en-23-carbomethoxyurs- 0 0 28-oate Methyl 2,3-P-epoxy-i 2-en-23 -benzamidours-28- 0 23 oate l-Ethoxyethyl asiatate 8 7 2',3',4',6'-Tetra-O-acetylglucosyl 2,3,23-tri-O- 39 34 acetylurs-28-oate The asiatic acid derivatives of the formula 1 of this invention, <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> except for methyl 2,3- -epoxy-12-en-23-carbomethoxyurs-28-oate and methyl 2,3- -epoxy-12-en-23-benzamidours-2 8-oate, showed protection effect of 8~42 % against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity of liver cells at their concentration of 5 ,ug/mQ. All of the test compounds, except for methyl 2 a -acetoxyurs-12-en-23-al-3-on-28-oate and methyl 2,3- P - epoxy-12-en-23-carbomethoxyurs-28-oate, showed protection effect of 5~44 % at their concentration of 50 g/mQ.

Experimental example 3. Concentration dependency of protection effect of asiatic acid derivatives against galactosamine- induced toxicity of liver cell To investigate concentration dependency of the protection effect of the compounds of the formula 1 of this invention, i. e. 2-oxoasiatic acid, 2-methylasiatic acid and methyl 2 e-acetoxyurs-12-en-23-al-3-on-28- oate, against galactosamine-induced toxicity of liver cell, the experiment was performed in the same manner as in Experimental example 1, except that the compound concentrations tested were 1, 10, 50, 100 and 200 u M.

Table 3: Protection effects of asiatic acid derivatives against galactosamine-induced toxicity of liver cell according to the concentration of asiatic acid derivative compounds. Relative liver cell protection (%) Concentrations of 2-Oxoasiatic 2-methylasiatic ) Methyl 2 a -acetoxyurs- 12- compounds ( 8 M) acid acid en-23-al-3-on-28-oate acid acid en-23-al-3-on-28-oate 1 29.8 31.9 27.4 10 43.2 40.3 39.0 50 50.4 58.2 60.0 100 25.3 43.9 33.1 200 8.5 0.0 0.0 The higher the concentrations of 2-oxoasiatic acid, 2-methylasiatic acid and methyl 2a -acetoxyurs-12-en-23-al-3-on-28-oate were in the range of 1-50 ,u M, the greater were the protection effects of those. At the concentrations of 100 and 200 it M, however, the protection effects of them rapidly decreased.

Experimental example 4. Concentration dependency of

protection effect of liver cell against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity by asiatic acid derivatives To investigate the concentration dependency of the protection effect of the compounds of the formula 1 of this invention, i. e. 2-oxoasiatic acid, against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity of liver cell, the experiment was performed in the same manner as in Experimental example 2, except that the compound concentrations tested were 1, 10, 50, 100 and 200 ,u M.

Table 4: Protection effects of 2-oxoasiatic acid against carbon tetrachloride-induced toxicity of liver cell according to the concentration of 2-oxoasiatic acid. Concentrations of compound( it M) Relative liver cell protection (%) 1 1.6 10 5.0 50 - 50 13.3 100 30.9 200 48.1 At the concentration range of 1-200 it M, the higher the concentration of 2-oxoasiatic acid was, the greater was the protection effects of that.

Experimental example 5. Safety study through toxicity test Administering 2-oxoasiatic acid of various concentrations to male ICR mice weighing between 20-25 g by peritoneal injection, the toxicity of 2-oxoasiatic acid was tested.

As a result, motor activity was decreased dose-dependently and pilo- erection, tachypnea and convulsion were induced dose-dependently. And the symptom of opisthotonus was showed at a fatal dose. Judging from the toxic symptoms and the time taken till death, 2-oxoasiatic acid was observed to induce the typical toxicity of central nervous system. The

surviving mice showed rapid recovery and the weight of them did not change.

In the conclusion, LDso of 2-oxoasiatic acid for mouse administered by peritoneal injection was 0.75g/kg, and that shows considerable safety of the compounds according to the present invention.

Industrial Applicability As can be seen from the Experimental Examples described above, the asiatic acid derivatives according to the present invention showed excellent liver protection or treatment effects.