Saponins isolated from Bupleurum falcatum L.; components of saikosaponin b

Abstract

The components of the saikosaponins a and b derived from the root of Bupleurum falcatum L. have been re-investigated. Saikosaponin b has been shown to consist of 16α, 23, 28-trihydroxyoleana-11,13(18)-dien-3β-yl D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-D-fucopyranoside (II)(saikosaponin b₂) and 16α, 23,28-trihydroxy-11α-methoxy-olean-12-en-3β-yl D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-D-fucopyranoside (V)(saikosaponin b₄), and saikosaponin a contains 16β, 23,28-trihydroxy-11α-methoxyolean-12-en-3β-yl D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-D-fucopyrano-side (XXI)(saikosaponin b₃) and a small amount of 16β, 23,28-trihydroxyoleana-11,13(18)-dien-3β-yl D-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)-β-D-fucopyranoside (XXII)(saikosaponin b₁).