Triterpenoid saponins from Eryngium yuccifolium 'Kershaw Blue'

- A phytochemical investigation of the root of Erygium yuccifolium 'Kershaw Blue' was undertaken.
- Polyhydroxyoleanene saponins were isolated and characterized by spectroscopic methods.
- The cytotoxic activities of eryngiosides have been examined.

Phytochemical investigation on the root of Eryngium yuccifolium 'Kershaw Blue' resulted in the isolation and identification of two new polyhydroxyoleanene saponins, named eryngioside M and eryngioside N, together with 15 known triterpenoid saponins eryngiosides A-L, 21β-angeloyloxy-3β-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyloxyolean-12-ene-15α,16α,22α,28-tetrol, saniculasaponin III, and saniculasaponin II. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic and chemical analyses. Eryngioside M and saniculasaponin II showed week cytotoxicity against human non-small cell lung tumor cells (A549) with GI50 values of 37.5 ± 1.59 μM and 35.5 ± 1.11 μM, respectively.