Spirostanol saponins of Allium porrum L.

An investigation of the extracts from bulbs of Allium porrum L. has led to the isolation of four spirostanol saponins. Two of them are new compounds a nd have been identified as: (25R)-5 alpha-spirostan-3 beta,6 beta-diol 3-O- {O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)]-O-bet a-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside} (3) and (25R)-5 alph a-spirostan-3 beta,6 beta-diol 3-O-{O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)-O-bet a-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 --> 3)]-O-beta-D-gl ucopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside} (4). The isolated compound s were evaluated for their antifungal activity. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.