Objective To investigate the chemical components in the Hosta plantaginea flower and evaluate their anti-inflammatory activities. Method The extraction was carried out using 95% and 70% ethanol aqueous solutions through percolation, followed by liquid-liquid extraction with petroleum ether and ethyl acetate. The chemical components were separated and purified by column chromatography methods such as D101 macroporous adsorption resin, silica gel, and ODS, as well as preparative liquid chromatography. Structural identification was conducted using high-resolution mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and circular dichroism spectrum (ECD). Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activities of all compounds were evaluated. Results Ten compounds were obtained from the aqueous layer of the H. plantaginea flower ethanol extract after extraction with ethyl acetate, including three steroids (1–3), four flavonoids (4–7), two alkaloids (8, 9), and one fatty acid (10). They were identified as (8S,9R,10S, 12S,13R,14R,16R,17S,20R,22S,25R,26R)-12,16-hydroxy-22,26-epoxy-26-methoxy-5α-cholest-4-en-3-one (or hostaspirone A, 1), (2α,3β,5α,25R)-2-hydroxyspirostan-3-yl O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-galactopyranoside (2), (25R)-3-(β-D-Glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-5-spirostan-2α-ol (3), rhamnocitrin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), quercetin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (5), isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside (6), isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside (7), thymine (8), uracil (9), and myristic acid (10), respectively. Conclusion Compound 1 is the first steroid identified in this genus to exhibit an E-ring cleavage spirostan. Compounds 4, 6–8, and 10 were isolated for the first time from the family Asparagaceae, and compound 5 is reported here for the first time from the Hosta genus. In addition, compounds 1 and 4 have some anti-inflammatory effects. This study expands the chemical profile of H. plantaginea and provides a scientific foundation for its potential clinical applications.

Hosta plantaginea flower  /  steroid  /  E-ring cleavage spirostan  /  hostaspirone A  /  rhamnocitrin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside  /  isorhamnetin 3-O-glucoside  /  myristic acid