Novel Saponins from Zizyphus spina-christi growing in Egypt

From the butanol extract of the leaves of Zizyphus spina-christi (L.) Willd. (Rhamnaceae), four saponin glycosides were isolated: Christinin A (1), B (2), C (3), and D (4). Their structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic evidence. Compound 1, was found to be 3-O-[alpha-L-fucopyranosyl (1 -> 2)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1 ->3)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]jujubogenin; the others are the new, 2 being 3-O-[alpha-D-fucopyranosyl(1 -> 2)-¿beta-D- glucopyranosyl-4-sulphate(1 ->3)¿-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl]jujubogenin, 3 being 3-O-beta-glucopyranosyl(1 -> 2)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 -> 3)-alpha- L-arabinopyranosyl]jujubogenin, and 4 being 3-O-[alpha-L-fucopyranosyl(1 -> 2) -¿beta-D-arabinopyranosyl(1 -> 3)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl(1 -> 3)¿-alpha-L- arabinopyranosy]jujubogenin.