Steroidal saponins from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis

► The report of (3β,5α,6β,25R)-spirostane-3,5,6-triol as a spirostanol saponin aglycone. ► Isolation of the aglycone (3β,25R)-3-hydroxyspirost-5-en-7-one from the genus Paris. ► A number of compounds showed more potent inhibitory effects on CNE cells than cisplatin.