[Studies on the saponins from the root bark of Aralia chinensis L]

Six saponins were isolated from the root bark of Aralia chinensis L.. The three saponins I, II and III were identified as araloside A (I), narcissiflorine (II) and oleanolic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-2)-alpha-L- arabinopyranoside (III). Saponin III was found to be a new compound and was named as araloside D.