Ornithosaponins A-D, four new polyoxygenated steroidal glycosides from the bulbs of Ornithogalum thyrsoides

By analyzing the steroidal glycoside content of fresh bulbs of Ornithogalum thyrsoides (Liliaceae), we were able to isolate four new polyoxygenated steroidal glycosides, which we named ornithosaponins A-D (1-4). The structures of 1-4 were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including that of 2D NMR data, and the results of acidic or alkaline hydrolysis. The aglycone structure of 1-4 has not been previously reported. It is also notable that ornithosaponins B-D (2-4) have been found to contain 6-deoxy-β-d-gulopyranose as a sugar component, which is rarely encountered in plant glycosides.