Acylated triterpenoid saponins from the stem bark of Foetidia africana

Nine new acylated triterpenoid saponins (4-12) were isolated from the stem bark of Foetidia africana. They all possess barringtogenol C as the aglycone, esterified by acetic and/or isovaleric acids. The sugar chain consists of up to three units: D-glucuronic acid (GlcUA) linked to C-3 of the aglycone and substituted by D-galactose (Gal) (at GlcUA C-2) and/or L-rhamnose (Rha) (at GlcUA C-4). The structures were established by acid and alkaline hydrolysis, by NMR experiments including H-1-H-1 (COSY, HOHAHA, ROESY) and H-1-C-13 (HSQC, HMBC) spectroscopy, and by mass spectrometry (ESIMS, ESIMSn).