Cytotoxic triterpenesaponins from Ilex pubescens

Two new triterpenesaponins, ilexsaponins G and H (1 and 2), together with six known triterpenesaponins (3–8), were isolated from the roots of Ilex pubescens. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and hydrolysis products. Those compounds showed inhibitory activities against two human colorectal cancer cell lines HCT 116 and HT-29.