Steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of Polygonatum odoratum

Three steroidal saponins were isolated and characterised from the rhizomes of Polygonatum odoratum. The structure of the compounds were determined as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-galactopyranosyl-25(S)-spirost-5(6)-en-3beta-ol (1), 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-galactopyranosyl-25(S)-spirost-5(6),14(15)-dien-3beta-ol (2) and 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-galactopyranosyl-25(S)-spirost-5 (6)-en-3beta, 14alpha-diol (3). Compound 2 was identified as a new compound. Compounds 1-3 were found to be strong against the growth of bacteria and plant pathogenic fungi.