New dammarane-type glycosides from the roots of Gynostemma pentaphyllum.

Twelve new dammarane-type glycosides ( 1- 12) were isolated from the ethanol extract from the roots of a wild-type of Gynostemma pentaphyllum. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis as well as by chemical degradation. The compounds contained six structurally diverse aglycons similar to those of the reported ginseng saponins with differences in the oligosaccharide moieties.