Triterpenoid saponins from Ardisia crenata.

Two novel triterpenoid saponins, ardisicrenoside A [3 beta-O-(alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl- (1-->4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)- 13 beta,28-epoxy-16 alpha,30-oleananediol] and ardisicrenoside B [3 beta-O-(beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-[beta-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]- alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl)-13 beta,28-epoxy-16 alpha,30-oleananediol] were isolated from the roots of Ardisia crenata. Two known triterpenoid saponins, ardisiacrispins A and B were also isolated from this source. Their structures were determined mainly by 2D NMR (COSY, HOHAHA, HETCOR, HMBC and ROESY) experiments. The aglycones are the new 13 beta,28-epoxy-3 beta,16 alpha,30-oleananetriol for ardisicrenosides A and B.