Studies on cytotoxic triterpene saponins from the leaves of Aralia elata

► Aralia elata is a medicine and food material. ► Four new, together with eight known triterpene saponins were isolated. ► Cytotoxicity of 1-12 was assayed against selected HL60, A549 and DU145 cell lines. ► Certain compounds exhibited significant cytotoxic activities.