Steroidal saponins from the fruits of Asparagus racemosus

Three steroidal saponins, racemosides A (1), B (2) and C (3), were isolated from the methanolic extract of the fruits of Asparagus racemosus, and characterized as (25S)-5 beta-spirostan-3 beta-ol-3-O-{beta-D- glucopyranosyl (1 -> 6)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 -> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 -> 4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside}, (25S)=5 beta-spirostan-3 beta-ol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 -> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 -> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside and (25S)-5 beta-spirostan-3 beta-ol-3-O-{alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 -> 6)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 -> 4)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside}, respectively, by spectrometric analysis and some chemical strategies. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.