Triterpenoid saponins from Melanthera scandens

Six saponins were isolated from the leaves of Melanthera scandens. Their structures were elucidated by 2D NMR techniques, including ROESY. They are 3-O-beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl- oleanolic acid, 3-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl(1-->4)beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl]- oleanolic acid, 3-O-([beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)] [beta-D-xylopyranosyl- (1-->4)]beta-D-glucuronopyranosyl)-oleanolic acid, and the corresponding 28-O-beta-D-glucosides.