A new steroidal saponin with antiinflammatory and antiulcerogenic properties from the bulbs of Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum.

A new steroidal saponin was isolated from the bulbs of Allium ampeloprasum var. porrumL. On the basis of chemical evidence, comprehensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison of known compounds, its structure was established as (3β,5α,6β,25R)-6-[(β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-spirostan-3-yl O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D-galactopyranoside. Results of the present study indicated that the steroidal saponin showed haemolytic effects in the in vitro assays and demonstrated antiinflammatory activity and gastroprotective property using in vivo models.