Cytotoxic steroidal saponins from Polygonatum zanlanscianense.

Four new steroidal saponins, polygonatosides A-D (1-4), were isolated from the rhizomes of Polygonatum zanlanscianense, together with six known spirostanols (5-10) and a known megastigmane glycoside (11). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and the results of acidic and enzymatic hydrolysis. The cytotoxic activities of 1-11 against HeLa cells are described.