New Triterpenoid Saponins from Achyrantes aspera Linn.

Two new bisdesmosidic triterpenoid saponins, i.e.1 and 2, were isolated, besides the three known saponins 3 – 5, from the MeOH extract of the aerial parts of Achyranthes asperaLinn. (Amaranthaceae). Their structures were elucidated as β-D-glucopyranosyl 3β-[O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(13)-O-β-D-glucopyranuronosyloxy]machaerinate (1) and β-D-glucopyranosyl 3β-[O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(12)-O-α-D-glucopyranuronosyloxy]machaerinate (2) by NMR spectroscopy, including 2D-NMR experiments (machaerinic acid=3β,21β-dihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid). The other saponins were identified as β-D-glucopyranosyl 3β[O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(13)-O-β-D-glucopyranuronosyloxy]oleanolate (3), β-D-glucopyranosyl 3-β-[O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(12)-O-β-D-glucopyranuronosyloxy]oleanolate (4), and β-D-glucopyranosyl 3β-[O-β-D-glucopyranuronosyloxy]oleanolate (5) (oleanolic acid=3β-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid).