Desmettianosides A and B, bisdesmosidic furostanol saponins with molluscicidal activity from Yucca desmettiana

Bioactivity-guided separation of the aqueous methanolic extract of Yucca desmettiana leaves, which in a preliminary screening exhibited significant molluscicidal activity, led to the isolation and structure elucidation of two new steroidal saponins (1 and 2). The structures of desmettianosides A and B, identified as bisdesmosidic furostanol glycosides with six and five sugar units, respectively, were established by detailed spectroscopic analyses of their NMR and MS data. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibited high molluscicidal activity against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails with LC100 values of 6 and 11 mg/L, respectively.

► The aqueous methanolic extract of Yucca desmettiana leaves was investigated.
► Two new compounds were isolated and identified as bisdesmosidic furostanol saponins.
► The sugar chains consisted of five and six units (galactose, glucose and xylose).
► The saponins exhibited high activity against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails.
► The LC100 values of the isolated saponins were 6 and 11 mg/L.