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Phytochemical analysis of the underground parts of Polianthes tuberosa has resulted in the isolation of four new spirostanol saponins with five monosaccharides (1-4). Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR data, and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. The cytotoxic activities of 1-4 against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells and HSC-2 human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells are reported.

Further phytochemical analysis aimed at the triterpene saponin constituents of the roots of Pulsatilla chinensis has resulted in the isolation of four new bisdesmosidic triterpene saponins whose aglycons are based on the lupane skeleton (1-4), together with three known saponins (5-7). The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis and acid-catalyzed hydrolysis.

Phytochemical analysis of the leaves of Cestrum nocturnum (Solanaceae) resulted in the isolation of two new flavonol glycosides (1, 2) and seven steroidal saponins (3-9), including four new ones (4, 6, 7, and 9). The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR data, and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. Cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds against human oral squamous cell carcinoma-(HSC-2) cells and normal human gingival fibroblasts are reported.

A saponin-enriched fraction prepared from the MeOH extract of the roots of Clematis chinensis showed cytotoxic activity against HL-60 promyelocytic leukemia cells, from which five new triterpene saponins (1−5) based on oleanolic acid, along with three known saponins (6−8), were isolated. The structures of the new saponins were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR data and hydrolysis followed by chromatographic and spectroscopic analysis. Among the isolated saponins, monodesmosidic saponins exhibited cytotoxic activities against cultured tumor cells.