Five saponins from the root bark of Aralia elata

Abstract Five saponins, 3- O -{ β - d -glucopyranosyl (1→2)-[ β - d -glucopyranosyl (1→3)]- β - d -glucopyranosyl}-oleanolic acid 28- O - β - d -glucopyranosyl ester (aralia-saponin V), 3- O -{ β - d -glucopyranosyl (1→2)-[ β - d -glucopyranosyl (1→3)]- β - d -glucopyranosyl}-echinocystic acid 28- O - β - d -glucopyranosyl ester (aralia-saponin VI), 3- O -{ β - d -glucopyranosyl (1→2)-[ β - d -glucopyranosyl (1→3)]- β - d -glucopyranosyl}-hederagenin 28- O - β - d -glucopyranosyl ester (aralia-saponin VII), 3- O -{ β - d -glucopyranosyl-(1→3)- β - d -glucopyranosyl-(1→ 3)-[ β - d -glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]- β - d -glucopyranosyl}-caulophyllogenin 28- O - β - d -glucopyranosyl ester (aralia-saponin VIII), 3- O -{ β - d -glucopyranosyl (1→2)-[ β - d -glucopyranosyl(1→3)]- α - l -arabinopyranosyl}-hederagenin 28- O - β - d -glucopyranosyl ester (aralia-saponin IX), were isolated from the root bark of Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem., together with four known compounds. Their structures were determined on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic methods.