New steroidal constituents of the underground parts of Ruscus aculeatus and their cytostatic activity on HL-60 cells.

Phytochemical examination of the underground parts of Ruscus aculeatus has led to the isolation of a total of twelve steroidal saponins, including seven new ones. The structures of the new saponins were determined by spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence. The furostanol saponin, having a diglycoside moiety modified with a (2S,3S)-2-hydroxy-3-methylpentanoic acid group and an acetic acid group, and its corresponding spirostanol saponin exhibited cytostatic activity on leukemia HL-60 cells.