New antifungal triterpenoid saponin from Launaea pinnatifida Cass.

A new triterpenoid saponin (compound 1), 3�-O-[�-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 �3)-O-�-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 �3)-O-�-Dgalactopyranosyl]-spergulatriol along with known compounds glutenol and hopenol-b have been isolated from the methanol soluble fraction of the defatted seeds of the plant and structurally elucidated by various colour reactions, chemical degradations and spectral analysis. Compound 1 shows antifungal activity against various fungi.