Leonticins D-H, five triterpene saponins from Leontice kiangnanensis.

Five new triterpene saponins, leonticins D-H, were isolated from the tubers of Leontice kiangnanensis. Based on a combination of chemical degradation and spectroscopic analysis (negative ion FAB mass spectrometry and 2D NMR experiments), their structures were characterized as 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-caulophyllogenin 28 -O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6-beta-D- glucopyranoside, 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl -(1-->3)]-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-oleanolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl- (1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)]-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alph a-L -arabinopyranosyl-hederagenin 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl- (1-->3)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl-(-->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-echinocystic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively.