Triterpenoid saponins from the leaves of Ilex kudincha.

Eight new triterpenoid saponins, kudinosides I-P along with three known saponins were isolated from the leaves of Ilex kudincha. The aglycone moiety of kudinosides I-K was determined as a new triterpene (kudinolic acid), a fore-genin for the lactonic triterpene. The structures of all saponins were established on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence. The biogenesis of the triterpene with lactonic moiety was briefly discussed.