Isolation and identificiation of steroidal saponins from Paris polyphylla Smith

Aim To isolate steroidal saponins from the rhizomes of Paris polyphylla Smith var.yunnanensis(Franch)Hand Mazz and to identify their structures.Methods The compounds were separated by means of solvent extraction,chromatography on silica gel and HPLC,and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analyses(FAB-MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 1H- 1H COSY, 13C- 1H COSY,HMBC,NOESY and TOCSY).Results Five steroidal saponins were isolated from the rhizomes of Paris polyphylla Smith.They were elucidated as diosgenin 3-O-{α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→4)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)]}-β-D-glucopyranoside(Ⅰ),gracillin(Ⅱ),saponin Pa(Ⅲ),prosapogenin A of dioscin(Ⅳ),pennogenin diglycoside(Ⅴ),respectively.Conclusion Compounds Ⅰ～Ⅴ are known as steroidal saponins.The extensive 2D NMR spectroscopies of compound Ⅰ,named saponin Pb,were studied and the NMR data were provided,as well as the correction with the previous incorrect assignment data.