Five New Medicagenic Acid Saponins from Muraltia ononidifolia

Five new triterpene saponins 1 – 5 were isolated from the roots of Muraltia ononidifolia E. Mey along with the two known saponins 3‐O‐[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]medicagenic acid 28‐[O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl] ester and 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)medicagenic acid 28‐[O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl] ester (medicagenic acid=(4α,2β,3β)‐2,3‐dihydroxyolean‐12‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid). Their structures were elucidated mainly by spectroscopic experiments, including 2D‐NMR techniques, as 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)medicagenic acid 28‐[O‐β‐ D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl] ester ( 1 ), 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)medicagenic acid 28‐{[O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl} ester ( 2 ), 3‐O‐[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]medicagenic acid 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl} ester ( 3 ), 3‐O‐[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]medicagenic acid 28‐[O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl] ester ( 4 ), and 3‐O‐[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]medicagenic acid ( 5 ).     

Two New Triterpene Saponins from Cyclamen africanum Boiss. & Reuter

Two new oleanane‐type triterpene saponins, afrocyclamins A and B ( 1 and 2 , resp.), were isolated from a MeOH extract of the roots of Cyclamen africanum Boiss . & Reuter , together with three known triterpenoid saponins, lysikokianoside, deglucocyclamin I, and its dicrotalic acid derivative. The structures were elucidated, on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments and mass spectrometry as (3β,20β)‐13,28‐epoxy‐16‐oxo‐3‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}oxy}oleanan‐29‐al ( 1 ) and (3β,16α,20β)‐16,28,29‐trihydroxy‐olean‐12‐en‐3‐yl O‐4‐O‐(4‐carboxy‐3‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐1‐oxobutyl)‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 2 ).     

Three New Triterpenoid Saponins from Ardisia crenata

Three new triterpenoid saponins, ardisicrenoside I ( 1 ), ardisicrenoside J ( 2 ), and ardisicrenoside M ( 3 ), along with eight known compounds, were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crenata Sims . Their structures were elucidated as 16α‐hydroxy‐30,30‐dimethoxy‐3β‐O‐{β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}‐13β,28‐epoxyoleanane ( 1 ), 16α‐hydroxy‐30,30‐dimethoxy‐3β‐O‐{α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}‐13β,28‐epoxyoleanane ( 2 ), 30,30‐dimethoxy‐16‐oxo‐3β‐O‐{β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}‐13β,28‐epoxyoleanane ( 3 ), ardisiacrispin A ( 4 ), ardisiacrispin B ( 5 ), ardisicrenoside B ( 6 ), ardisicrenoside A ( 7 ), ardisicrenoside H ( 8 ), ardisicrenoside G ( 9 ), cyclamiretin A‐3β‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 10 ), and cyclamiretin A‐3β‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 11 ) by means of chemical and spectral analysis, and their cytotoxicities were evaluated in vitro.     

Novel Polyoxygenated Spirostanol Glycosides from the Rhizomes of Helleborus orientalis

The two new polyoxygenated spirostanol bisdesmosides 1 and 2 and the new trisdesmoside 3 , named hellebosaponin A ( 1 ), B ( 2 ), and C ( 3 ), respectively, were isolated from the MeOH extract of the rhizomes of Helleborus orientalis. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated as (1β,3β,23S,24S)‐21‐(acetyloxy)‐24‐[(β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl)oxy]‐3,23‐dihydroxyspirosta‐5,25(27)‐dien‐1‐yl O‐β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐(4‐O‐acetyl‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl)‐(1→2)‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 1 ), (1β,3β,23S,24S)‐ 21‐(acetyloxy)‐24‐{[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl]oxy}‐3,23‐dihydroxyspirosta‐5,25(27)‐dien‐1‐yl O‐β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐(4‐O‐acetyl‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl)‐(1→2)‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐ α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 2 ), and (1β,3β,23S,24S)‐24‐[(β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl)oxy]‐21‐{[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl]oxy}‐3,23‐dihydroxyspirosta‐5,25(27)‐dien‐1‐yl O‐β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐(4‐O‐acetyl‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl)‐(1→2)‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranoside ( 3 ), respectively, on the basis of detailed spectroscopic studies and chemical evidence.     

New Triterpenoidal Saponins Acylated with Monoterpenic Acid from Albizia adianthifolia

Four new triterpenoidal saponins acylated with monoterpenic acid, i.e., adianthifoliosides C, D, E, and F ( 1 – 4 ), besides the two known julibroside III and the monodesmonoterpenyl elliptoside A, were isolated from the roots of Albizia adianthifolia. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR studies and mass spectrometry as 3‐O‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐β‐d‐ fucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐O‐[β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl}‐21‐O‐{(2E,6S)‐6‐{{4‐O‐[(2E,6S)‐2,6‐dimethyl‐6‐(β‐D ‐quinovopyranosyloxy)octa‐2,7‐dienoyl]‐β‐d‐ quinovopyranosyl}oxy}‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐6‐methylocta‐2,7‐dienoyl}acacic acid 28‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinofuranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl} ester ( 1 ), 21‐O‐{(2E,6S)‐6‐{{4‐O‐[(2E,6S)‐2,6‐dimethyl‐6‐(β‐d‐ quinovopyranosyloxy)octa‐2,7‐dienoyl]‐β‐d‐ quinovopyranosyl}oxy}‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐6‐methylocta‐2,7‐dienoyl}‐3‐O‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐β‐d‐ fucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐2‐(acetylamino)‐2‐deoxy‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl}acacic acid 28‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinofuranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl} ester ( 2 ), 21‐O‐{(2E,6S)‐6‐{{3‐O‐[(2E,6S)‐2,6‐dimethyl‐6‐(β‐d‐ quinovopyranosyloxy)octa‐2,7‐dienoyl]‐β‐d‐ quinovopyranosyl}oxy}‐2,6‐dimethylocta‐2,7‐dienoyl}‐3‐O‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐β‐d‐ fucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐2‐(acetylamino)‐2‐deoxy‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl}acacic acid 28‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinofuranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl} ester ( 3 ), and 3‐O‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐β‐d‐ fucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐O‐[β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl}‐21‐O‐{(2E,6S)‐2,6‐dimethyl‐6‐(β‐d‐ quinovopyranosyloxy)octa‐2,7‐dienoyl}acacic acid 28‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinofuranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl} ester ( 4 ).     

Foetidissimosides C–F,Novel Glycosides from the Roots of Cucurbita foetidissima

Two novel echinocystic acid (=(3β,16α)‐3,16‐dihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid) glycosides, foetidissimosides C ( 1 ), and D ( 2 ), along with new cucurbitane glycosides, i.e., foetidissimosides E/F ( 3 / 4 ) as an 1 : 1 mixture of the (24R)/(24S) epimers, were obtained from the roots of Cucurbita foetidissima. Their structures were elucidated by means of a combination of homo‐ and heteronuclear 2D‐NMR techniques (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, ROESY, HSQC, and HMBC), and by FAB‐MS. The new compounds were characterized as (3β,16α)‐28‐{[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl]oxy}‐16‐hydroxy‐28‐oxoolean ‐12‐en‐3‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid ( 1 ), (3β,16α)‐16‐hydroxy‐28‐oxo‐28‐{{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐O‐6‐deoxy‐α‐L ‐mannopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl}oxy}olean‐12‐en‐3‐yl β‐D ‐glucopyranosiduronic acid ( 2 ), and (3β,9β,10α,11α,24R)‐ and (3β,9β,10α,11α,24S)‐25‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐9‐methyl‐19‐norlanost‐5‐en‐3‐yl 2‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 and 4 , resp.).     

Tirucallane Triterpenoid Saponins from Munronia delavayi Franch

Four new tirucallane triterpenoid saponins, named munronosides I–IV ( 2 – 5 ), along with three known triterpenoids, sapelin B ( 1 ), melianodiol, and (3β)‐22,23‐epoxytirucall‐7‐ene‐3,24,25‐triol, were isolated from the EtOH extract of the whole plants of Munronia delavayi Franch by chromatographic methods. On the basis of spectroscopic evidences, the structures of 2 – 5 were elucidated as (20S,23R,24S)‐21,25‐epoxy‐29‐{{O‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[α‐l‐ rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl}oxy}‐23,24‐dihydroxytirucall‐7‐ene‐3,21‐dione ( 2 ), (3β,20S,23R,24S)‐21,25‐epoxy‐29‐{{O‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[α‐l‐ rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl}oxy}‐3,23,24‐trihydroxytirucall‐7‐en‐21‐one ( 3 ), (20S,23R,24S)‐24‐(acetyloxy)‐21,25‐epoxy‐29‐{{O‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[α‐l‐ rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl}oxy}‐23‐hydroxytirucall‐7‐ene‐3,21‐dione ( 4 ), and (3β,20S,23R,24S)‐24‐(acetyloxy)‐21,25‐epoxy‐29‐{{O‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[α‐l‐ rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐d‐ glucopyranosyl}oxy}‐3,23‐dihydroxytirucall‐7‐en‐21‐one ( 5 ).     

Two New Cytotoxic Nonsulfated Pentasaccharide Holostane (=20‐Hydroxylanostan‐18‐oic Acid γ‐Lactone) Glycosides from the Sea Cucumber Holothuria grisea

Two new lanostane‐type nonsulfated pentasaccharide triterpene glycosides, 17‐dehydroxyholothurinoside A ( 1 ) and griseaside A ( 2 ), were isolated from the sea cucumber Holothuria grisea. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR and MS experiments, as well as chemical evidence. Compounds 1 and 2 possess the same pentasaccharide moieties but differ slightly in their side chains of the holostane‐type triterpene aglycone. The structures of the two new glycosides were established as (3β,12α)‐22,25‐epoxy‐3‐{(O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[O‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐6‐deoxy‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl)oxy}‐12,20‐dihydroxylanost‐9(11)‐en‐18‐oic acid γ‐lactone ( 1 ) and (3β,12α)‐3‐{(O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[O‐3‐O‐methyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐6‐deoxy‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl)oxy}‐12,20,22‐trihydroxylanost‐9(11)‐en‐18‐oic acid γ‐lactone ( 2 ). The 17‐dehydroxyholothurinoside A ( 1 ) and griseaside A ( 2 ) exhibited significant cytotoxicity against HL‐60, BEL‐7402, Molt‐4, and A‐549 cancer cell lines.     

Terpenoids from Two Dicranopteris Species

Two new compounds, (6S,13S)‐6‐{[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl]oxy}cleroda‐3,14‐dien‐13‐ol ( 1 ) and kadsuric acid 3‐methyl ester ( 2 ), together with nine known compounds, (6S,13E)‐6‐{[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl]oxy}cleroda‐3,13‐dien‐15‐ol ( 3 ), (6S,13S)‐6‐[6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl]oxy}‐13‐{[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl]oxy}cleroda‐3,14‐diene ( 4 ), (6S,13S)‐6‐{[6‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl]oxy}‐13‐{[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl]oxy}cleroda‐3,14‐diene ( 5 ), 15‐hydroxydehydroabietic acid ( 6 ), 15‐hydroxylabd‐8(17)‐en‐19‐oic acid ( 7 ), junicedric acid ( 8 ), (4β)‐kaur‐16‐en‐18‐oic acid ( 9 ), (4β)‐16‐hydroxykauran‐18‐oic acid ( 10 ), and (4β,16β)‐16‐hydroxykauran‐18‐oic acid ( 11 ) were isolated from the fronds of Dicranopteris linearis or D. ampla. Their structures were established by extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1 and 3 – 8 showed no anti‐HIV activities.     

New Acylated Preatroxigenin Saponins from Atroxima congolana

Eight new acylated preatroxigenin saponins 1 – 8 were isolated as four inseparable mixtures of the trans‐ and cis‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl derivatives, atroximasaponins A₁/A₂ ( 1 / 2 ), B₁/B₂ ( 3 / 4 ), C₁/C₂ ( 5 / 6 ) and D₁/D₂ ( 7 / 8 ) from the roots of Atroxima congolana. These compounds are the first examples of triterpene saponins containing preatroxigenin (=(2β,3β,4α,22β)‐2,3,22,27‐tetrahydroxyolean‐12‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid as aglycone. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR studies and FAB‐MS as 3‐O(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)preatroxigenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐(trans‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranoyl} ester ( 1 ) and its cis‐isomer 2 , 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)preatroxigenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→ 2)‐O‐[O‐6‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐(trans‐ 4‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 3 ) and its cis‐isomer 4 , 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)preatroxigenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[O‐6‐ O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐(trans‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranoyl} ester ( 5 ) and its cis‐isomer 6 , 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)preatroxigenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐(trans‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl ester ( 7 ) and its cis‐isomer 8 .     

Triterpene Saponins from Four Species of the Polygalaceae Family

Twelve triterpene saponins were isolated by successive MPLC over silica gel from four species of Polygalaceae: From Polygala ruwenzoriensis, five new saponins 1 – 5 of which 1 – 4 as two pairs of (E)/(Z)‐isomers, together with the four known compounds tenuifoline, (E)‐ and (Z)‐senegasaponin b, (E)‐ and (Z)‐senegin II, and polygalasaponin XXVIII, from the genus Carpolobia, one new saponin 6 from C. alba and the known arilloside ( 11 ) from C. lutea, and another new triterpene glycoside 7 from Polygala arenaria. Their structures were established mainly by 600‐MHz 2D‐NMR techniques (¹H,¹H‐COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC) as 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐4‐O‐[(E)‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl]‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 1 ) and its (Z)‐isomer 2 , 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐4‐O‐[(E)‐3,4‐dimethoxycinnamoyl]‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 3 ) and its (Z)‐isomer 4 , 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐[O‐β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl] ester ( 5 ), 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐O‐[β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)]‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐O‐[β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1 → 3)]‐4‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 6 ), and 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)]‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 7 ) (presenegenin = (2β,3β,4α)‐2,3,27‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid).     

Steroidal Saponins from Disporopsis pernyi

Four new steroidal saponins, named disporosides A–D ( 1 – 4 ), corresponding to (3β,25R)‐3‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐5β‐spirostan ( 1 ), (3β,25R)‐3‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[6‐O‐hexadecanoyl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐5β‐spirostan ( 2 ), (3β,22R,25R)‐26‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐3‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐5β‐furostan ( 3 ), and (3β,22R,25R)‐26‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐3‐[(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]‐5β‐furostan ( 4 ), have been isolated from the fresh rhizomes of Disporopsis pernyi, together with the three known compounds Ys‐I, agavoside B, and (3β,25R)‐3‐[(β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl)oxy]‐5α‐spirostan‐12‐one. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, chemical transformations (acid hydrolysis), and comparison with literature data.     

New Acylated Saponins from Polygala myrtifolia

The ten new acylated presenegenin (=(2β,3β,4α)‐2,3,27‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid) glycosides 1 – 10 have been isolated by successive MPLC from the roots of Polygala myrtifolia L. as five inseparable mixtures of the trans‐ and cis‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl derivatives, i.e., myrtifoliosides A₁/A₂ ( 1 / 2 ), B₁/B₂ ( 3 / 4 ), C₁/C₂ ( 5 / 6 ), D₁/D₂ ( 7 / 8 ), and E₁/E₂ ( 9 / 10 ). Their structures were elucidated mainly by extensive spectroscopic experiments, including 2D NMR techniques, as 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[D ‐apio‐β‐D ‐furanosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐4‐O‐(trans‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 1 ) and its cis‐isomer 2 , 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[D ‐apio‐β‐D ‐furanosyl‐(1→3)]‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐4‐O‐(trans‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 3 ) and its cis‐isomer 4 , 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐{O‐β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐4‐O‐(trans‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 5 ) and its cis‐isomer 6 , 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐{O‐D ‐apio‐β‐D ‐furanosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐4‐O‐(trans‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 7 ) and its cis‐isomer 8 , and 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐{O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)]‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐4‐O‐(trans‐4‐ methoxycinnamoyl)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl} ester ( 9 ) and its cis‐isomer 10 .     

Three New ent‐Kaurane Diterpenoids from Siegesbeckia pubescens

Three new ent‐kaurane glucopyranosides, 2‐O‐[β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)‐2‐O‐isovaleryl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]‐4‐epi‐atractyligenin ( 1 ), 2‐O‐[β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)‐2‐O‐isovaleryl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]atractyligenin ( 2 ), and 2‐O‐[β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→3)‐2‐O‐(3‐methylpentanoyl)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]‐4‐epi‐atractyligenin ( 3 ), along with 2‐O‐(2‐O‐isovaleryl‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)‐4‐epi‐atractyligenin ( 4 ), were isolated for the first time from the aerial parts of Siegesbeckia pubescens. The structures were established by extensive spectroscopic analyses including 1D ‐ and 2D ‐NMR (HSQC, HMBC, and ROESY), and HR‐ESI‐MS, and by comparison with published data.     

Two new triterpenoid saponins from Pittosporum senacia Putterlick (Pittosporaceae)

From the branches of Pittosporum senacia Putterlick (Pittosporaceae), two new triterpenoid saponins, senaciapittosides A and B (1, 2), were isolated. Their structures were elucidated by extensive analysis of one‐ and two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, high‐resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR‐ESIMS) and chemical evidence as 3‐O‐[β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)]‐[α‐l ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)]‐[α‐l ‐arabinofuranosyl‐(1 → 4)]‐β‐d ‐glucuronopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28‐O‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl ester (1) and 3‐O‐[β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)]‐[α‐l ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)]‐[α‐l ‐arabinofuranosyl‐(1 → 4)]‐β‐d ‐glucuronopyranosyl‐22‐O‐α‐l ‐arabinopyranosyl‐21‐acetoxy R1‐barrigenol (2). Compound 2 presents an unusual glycosylation at C‐22 of its aglycone. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Tensioactive Compounds from the Aquatic Plant Ranunculus fluitans L. (Ranunculaceae)

In the search for the cause for the formation of persistent foam in the Rhine River below the Rhine Fall at Schaffhausen, an investigation of the tensioactive principles from the aquatic plant Ranunculus fluitans L. (Ranunculaceae) was carried out. Two new (see 1 and 2 ) and four known bisdesmosidic triterpene saponins (see 4 – 6 ) were isolated along with the two known diacylglycerol galactosides 7 and 8 . The saponin structures were established by the identification of the aglycon and sugar moieties by HPLC and chiral capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), ion‐spray LC/MS and extensive 1‐ and 2D homo‐ and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. The structures of the new oleanane‐type saponins were identified as 3‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl]‐28‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]hederagenin ( 1 ) and 3‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]oleanolic acid [α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl] ester ( 2 ). LC/MS Studies of tensioactive fractions revealed the presence of additional glycoglycerolipids.     

Seven New Acyl Glycosides from Erycibe obtusifolia

Seven new acyl glycosides, benzyl 5‐O‐vanilloyl‐β‐d ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 1 ), 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxyphenyl 5‐O‐syringoyl‐β‐d ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 2 ), isopentyl 5‐O‐syringoyl‐β‐d ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 3 ), 3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl 5‐O‐sinapoyl‐β‐d ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→6)‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 4 ), 6‐methoxy‐7‐[(6‐O‐sinapoyl‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]coumarin ( 5 ), 6‐methoxy‐7‐[(2‐O‐sinapoyl‐β‐d ‐glucopyranosyl)oxy]coumarin ( 6 ), and isopentyl β‐d ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→6)‐[5‐O‐syringoyl‐β‐d ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐d ‐glucopyranoside ( 7 ), were isolated from Chinese folk herb Erycibe obtusifolia. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including UV, IR, MS, and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques. Further, these compounds were evaluated against HCT‐8 (human colon carcinoma), Bel‐7402 (human liver carcinoma), BGC‐823 (human stomach carcinoma), A549 (human lung carcinoma), and A2780 (human ovarian carcinoma) cell lines, however, none of them exhibited a significant bioactivity (IC₅₀ > 10 μm ).     

Bidesmosidic Oleanane Saponins from Xerospermum noronhianum

Three new oleanane‐type triterpenoid saponins, 3‐O‐(α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl)‐28‐O‐{[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)] [β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl(1→6)]‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl} oleanolic acid ( 1 ), 3‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→3)‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl]‐28‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→4)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl] oleanolic acid ( 2 ), and 3‐O‐{α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)‐[3′,4′‐diacetoxy‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl]}‐28‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl] oleanolic acid ( 3 ) have been isolated from the stems of Xerospermum noronhianum. The structures of the saponins were determined as a series of bidesmosidic oleanane saponins based on spectral evidence. The anticholinesterase activity of the saponins 1 – 3 was also evaluated.     

Furostane‐Type Steroidal Saponins from the Roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum

Four new furostanol steroid saponins, borivilianosides A–D ( 1 – 4 , resp.), corresponding to (3β,5α,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐hydroxyfurostan‐3‐yl O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 1 ), (3β,5α,22R,25R)‐ 26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐methoxyfurostan‐3‐yl O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 2 ), (3β,5α,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐methoxyfurostan‐3‐yl O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 3 ), and (3β,5α,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)furost‐20(22)‐en‐3‐yl O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside ( 4 ), together with the known tribuluside A and (3β,5α,22R,25R)‐26‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyloxy)‐22‐methoxyfurostan‐3‐yl O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐[β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)]‐β‐D ‐galactopyranoside were isolated from the dried roots of Chlorophytum borivilianum Sant and Fern . Their structures were elucidated by 2D ‐NMR analyses (COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC) and mass spectrometry.     

New Acylated Triterpene Saponins from Polygala arenaria

Eight new acylated triterpene saponins 1 – 8 were isolated from the roots of Polygala arenaria as four inseparable (E)/(Z) mixtures of the 4‐methoxycinnamoyl and 3,4‐dimethoxycinnamoyl derivatives by repeated MPLC over silica gel. Their structures were established mainly by 600‐MHz 2D‐NMR techniques (¹H,¹H‐COSY, TOCSY, NOESY, HSQC, HMBC) as 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐(O‐β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐{4‐O‐[(E)‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl]}‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl) ester and its (Z)‐isomer ( 1 / 2 ), 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐(O‐β‐D ‐galactopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐[β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)]‐O‐β‐D ‐xylopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐{4‐O‐[(E)‐3,4‐dimethoxycinnamoyl]}‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl) ester and its (Z)‐isomer ( 3 / 4 ), 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐(O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐{4‐O‐[(E)‐4‐methoxycinnamoyl]}‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl) ester and its (Z)‐isomer ( 5 / 6 ), and 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin 28‐(O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→3)‐O‐α‐L ‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1→4)‐O‐α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐{4‐O‐[(E)‐3,4‐dimethoxycinnamoyl]}‐β‐D ‐fucopyranosyl) ester and its (Z)‐isomer ( 7 / 8 ) (presenegenin=(2β,3β)‐2,3,27‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐ene‐23,28‐dioic acid). In our in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay (Jurkat T‐leukemia cells), a fraction containing 1 – 4 showed a concentration‐dependent immunomodulatory effect. This effect was not found for the prosapogenin (tenuifolin=3‐O‐(β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl)presenegenin), underlining the importance of the acyl? oligosaccharidic moiety.