Steroidal saponins from Yucca gloriosa L. rhizomes: LC-MS profiling, isolation and quantitative determination.

The occurrence of steroidal saponins in the rhizomes of Yucca gloriosa has been detected by LC–MS. On the basis of the LC–MS analysis, five steroidal glycosides, including three spirostane, one furostane and one cholestane glycosides, along with seven known compounds have been isolated and characterized by ESI-MS and by the extensive use of 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. Quantitative analysis of the steroidal glycosides in Y. gloriosa rhizomes was performed by an LC–MS method validated according to European Medicines Agency (EMEA) guidelines. The dried BuOH extract obtained from rhizomes contains more than 25% w/w of glycosides, thus Y. gloriosa rhizomes can be considered a rich source of steroidal glycosides.