Chemical evaluation of Bupleurum species collected in Yunnan, China.

Saponins were isolated from roots of Bupleurum marginatum (Zhuye-Chaihu), B. marginatum var. stenophyllum (Zezhuye-Chaihu) and B. rockii (Lijiang-Chaihu) collected in Yunnan, China, and identified. For the evaluation of these plants as a medicine, quantitative analysis of pharmacologically active saponins, saikosaponins-a (1) and -d (3), in the plants was also conducted in comparison with B. falcatum and B. chinensis.