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.