STEROIDAL SAPONINS FROM THE STEMS OF DRACAENA-CONCINNA

A total of thirteen steroidal saponins, including four new furostanol saponins, were isolated from the fresh stems of Dracaena concinna. The structures of new saponins were determined by detailed analysis of th eir H-1 and C-13 NMR spectra, hydrolysis, and by comparison of spectra l data of known compounds. Two of the new furostanol saponins are uniq ue in structure possessing a 4 alpha-hydroxyl group on the furostanol skeleton. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.