Novel acylated saponins from Tragopogon porrifolius L. Isolation and the structures of tragopogonsaponins A-R.

Eighteen novel triterpenoid saponins, named tragopogonsaponins A-R, were isolated from the roots of Tragopogon porrifolius L. (Compositae). The structures of these saponins were determined on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence. Seventeen of the saponins contained phenyl propionic acid derivative as ester moiety. Their structures were elucidated as oleananae-type triterpene saponins which have echinocystic acid as the aglycone moiety.