title: Cytotoxic saponins from the Chinese herbal drug Yunnan Bai Yao.
abstract: Two cytotoxic saponins were isolated from the acetone extracts of the herbal preparation "Yunnan Bai Yao" by column chromatography. They were identified as a 3-([alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl()Rha leads to 2Glu)]-[alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl(1Ara leads to 4Glu)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-25(R)-spirost-5-en-3beta-ol (I) and 3-([alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1Rha leads to 4Rha)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1Rha leads to 4Glu)]-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1Rha leads to 2Glu)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-25(R)-spirost-5-en-3 beta-ol (VI). Both saponins exhibited significant cytotoxicity in the standard P-388, L-1210, and 9KB tissue culture screens.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D002681:China; D006801:Humans; D006868:Hydrolysis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008745:Methylation; D051379:Mice; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins