The bioassay-guided isolation of antifungal saponins from Hosta plantaginea leaves

Four new steroidal saponins hostaside ? (1), hostaside ? (2), hostaside ? (3), and hostaside ? (4), together with five known steroidal saponins (5-9), were isolated by the bioassay-guided fractionation from the leaves of Hosta plantaginea (Lam.) Aschers, a worldwide well-known ornamental plant. Hostasides ? and ? showed significant antifungal activities, and they could inhibit the growth of Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporium with MIC values as low as 4g/ml. [GRAPHICS] .