In the present study, six known compounds were investigated that were isolated from the aerial parts of plant Dianthus helenae Vved. The structures of these compounds were identified as polypodine B (1), 2,3,20,22-diacetonide-20-hydroxyecdysone (2), 20-hydroxyecdysone (3), cyasterone (4), α-ecdysone (5) and 2-deoxy-α-ecdysone (6). Their structures were confirmed by NMR-, ESI-MS, and IR-spectroscopy. The compounds (5) and (6) are reported for the first time from this species. Furthermore, compounds (2) and (4) were isolated for the first time from the Caryophyllaceae family. In addition, all these phytoecdysteroids were investigated for a nootropic activity. Thus, the total phytoecdysteroids-containing preparation at a dose of 25 mg/kg increases two times the motor activity, an approximate reaction - four times and exploratory behavior - 1.4 times compared to control animals.
Keywords: Dianthus helenae Vved.; Phytoecdysteroids; anticonvulsive activity; nootropic activity; tremorogenic activity.