Synthesis and antitumor activity of a group of diosgenyl glycosides

Using orthogonal protection–deprotection glycosylation strategy, a series of diosgenyl glycosides with same of monosaccharides component but different in sequence were synthesized. The antitumor activity in vitro   of synthesized diosgenyl glycosides was evaluated by standard MTT assay. It was observed that diosgenyl glycosides with a rhamnopyranosyl at C′2C′2 of glucopyranosyl residue show potent antitumor activity in vitro.