Steroid saponins from Paris polyphylla Sm.-supplement.

Previously, four steroid glycosides (Pa-d) were isolated from the rhizomes of Paris polyphylla SM. and characterized. In a continuation of our studies on this plant, a further five new steroid glycosides (1, 2, 12, 14 and 16) together with three known compounds (13, 18 and 19 ; the latter two have been obtained synthetically as acetyl derivatives) have been isolated and their structures established as follows. 1 and 2 : (22ξ, 25R)-22-methoxyfurostanol 3, 26-O-bisglycosides (proto-type saponins) corresponding to Pa [diosgein 3-O-α-L-ara·fur-(1→4)-[α-L-rha·pyr-(1→2)]-β-D-glc·pyranoside (3)] and Pb [diosgein 3-O-α-L-rha·pyr-(1→4)-α-L-rha·pyr-(1→4)-[α-L-rha·pyr-(1→2)]-β-D-glc·pyranoside (6)], respectively ; 12 and 13 : pennogenin oligosides having the same sugar moieties as 3 and 6, respectively ; 14 and 18 : pennogenin derivatives carrying 3-O-α-L-ara·fur-(1→4)-β-D-glc·pyranoside and hexaacetyl 3-O-α-L-rha·pyr-(1→2)-β-D-glc·pyranoside, respectively ; 16 and 19 : diosgenin derivatives carrying the same sugar moieties as 14 and 18, respectively.