OLEANAINE TRITERPENE SAPONINS FROM THE CHINESE MEDICINAL HERB CLINOPODIUM-CHINENSIS

Four oleanane triterpene saponins, 3 beta,16 beta,23-trihydroxy-12-ket o-13 -epoxyolean-9(11)-en-3-yl-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1 --> 2)]-[beta- D-glucopyranosyl(1 --> 3)]-beta-D-fucopyranoside [1] (clinopodiside D) , 16 beta-propionyl-3 oxyoleana-11,21-dien-3-yl-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 2)]-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1 --> 3)]-beta-D-fucopyranoside [2] (clinopodiside E),3 beta,16 beta,21 1-methoxyolean-12-en-3-yl-[beta-D- glucopyranosyl(1 --> 2)]-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl)1 --> 3)]-beta-D-fucop yranoside [3] (clinopodiside F), and 3 beta,16 beta,21 beta 23,28-pent ahydroxyoleana-11, 13(18)-dien-3-yl-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 2)]- [beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1 --> 3)]-beta-D-fucopyranoside [4] (clinopodis ide G), were isolated and purified from the plant Clinopodium chinensi s. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of interpretation of nmr and ms data and from chemical evidence. The results are of potenti al interest for medicinal reasons.