Two new triterpenoid saponins from the carpophore of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge.

Two new triterpenoid saponins (1, 2) and a known sapogenin (3) were isolated from the dried carpophore of Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge. (Sapindaceae), and their structures were established as 3-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl, 28-O-[alpha-l-rhamnosyl (1 --> 2)]-beta-d-glucopyranosyl 16-deoxybarrin-gtogenol C (1), 3-O-[beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1 --> 6)] 3'-angeloyl)-beta-d-glucopyranosyl, 28-O-[alpha-l-rhamnosyl(1 --> 2)]-beta-d-glucopyranosyl 16-deoxybarringtogenol C (2), 16-deoxybarringtogenol C (3), by spectral and chemical methods. Compounds 1 and 2 were found to have activity of inhibiting the proliferation of two human tumour cell lines while compound 3 was inactive.