[A new saikosaponin from Bupleurum chinense DC].

Bupleurum chinense DC. is a well-known and very important traditional Chinese drug. It is often used to treat common cold with fever, alternating chill and fever, feeling of fullness and oppression in the chest. A new saikosaponin was isolated from Bupleurum chinense DC. and its structure was identified as 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->3)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl]-3 beta, 16 alpha, 23, 28-tetrahydroxy-olean-11, 13 (18)-dien-30-oic acid 30-O-[xylityl(1-->1)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-6-ester on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence. In addition, three known saikosaponins were isolated and characterized as saikosaponin 1, 2"-O-acetyl-saikosaponin b2 and 2"-O-acetyl-saikosaponin a. All the compounds were isolated from Bupleurum chinense DC. for the first time.