Jenisseensosides C and D, biologically active acylated triterpene saponins from Silene jenisseensis

We previously reported the isolation and structure elucidation of a new trans-p-methoxycinnamoyl triterpene-saponin along with its cis-p-methoxycinnamoyl isomer as an inseparable mixture from the roots of Silene jenisseensis. In a continuing study on this plant, two additional new acylated triterpene-saponins were obtained as an inseparable mixture. Their structures have been established by chemical means and spectroscopic methods including 1D and 2D homonuclear and heteronuclear correlation NMR spectroscopy as 3-O-[beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-28-O[{alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)}-{4-O-trans-p-methoxycinnamoyl}-beta-D-fucopyranosyl] quillaic acid and its cis-isomer, respectively. They showed a significant enhancement of the granulocyte phagocytosis in vitro. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.