Triterpene saponins from Cyclamen mirabile and their biological activities.

Six saponins, cyclaminorin (1), deglucocyclamin (2), cyclacoumin (3), cyclamin (4), isocyclamin (5), and mirabilin (6) were isolated from the tubers of Cyclamen mirabile. Compound 6 is a new natural compound, and its structure was established as 3-[O-beta-[[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)]- [beta-D-glycopyranosyl-(1-->6)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)]-[be ta-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]-3 beta,16 alpha,28-trihydroxyolean-12-en-30-oic acid (6). The structure elucidation of this compound was accomplished using both spectral and chemical methods. Antimicrobial and uterocontractile activities of the saponins were also investigated.