Betavulgarosides I, II, III, IV, and V, Hypoglycemic Glucuronide Saponins from the Roots and Leaves of Beta vulgaris L. (Sugar Beet)

Five glucuronide saponins named betavulgarosides I, 11,111, IV, and V were isolated from the roots and leaves of Bera vulgaris L. (Sugar beet).Their smctures were elucidated on the bass of chemical and physicochem~cal evidence.Betavulgarosides 11,111, and IV and the prosapogenol ( 6 ) were found to exhibit hypoglycemic effect on oral glucose tolerance test in rats.The roots and leaves of Bera vulgoris L. (Sugar beet, Japanese name is Satoudaikon, Chenopodiaceae) are known as a vegetable or garnish fwdstuff.particularly, the roots have been used indusuially as a raw material of sugar.In Chinese traditional medicine, the roots of this plaqt have been known to exhibit sedative and emmenagogue-like effects.In regard to the chemical constituents of sugar beet, the presence of saponins, bewcyanins, and phenolic compounds has been reported1and recenlly, several oleanolic acid glycosides were chardctcrized from the leaves of this plant?