Cytotoxic steroidal saponins from the rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides.

Two novel steroidal saponins, timosaponin V and W (1 and 2), together with seven known steroidal saponins (3-9), were isolated from the rhizomes of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge. Their structures were elucidated by extensive 1D NMR and 2D NMR (HSQC, HMBC, 1H-1H COSY, and NOESY), and MS analyses. The cytotoxic activities of the isolates were evaluated. Compound 1 showed a significant cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines with IC50 values of 2.16 ± 0.19 μM and 2.01 ± 0.19 μM, respectively.