Steroidal saponins from the rhizome of Polygonatum sibiricum.

Four new steroidal saponins, 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-ß-D-fucopyranosyl -(25R)-spirost-5-en-3ß,17α-diol (1), 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-ß-D- fucopyranosyl-(25S)-spirost-5-en-3ß,17α-diol (2), 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1→2) -ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-ß-D-fucopyranosyl-(25R)-spirost-5-en-3ß,17α-diol (3), 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl(1→4)-ß-D-fucopyranosyl-(25R/S)-spirost-5-en-3ß,12ß-diol (4), together with five known steroidal saponins were isolated from the ethanolic extract of the rhizome of Polygonatum sibiricum. Chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques. Anti-inflammatory activities of these new compounds were evaluated.