A new steroidal saponin from Agave attenuata

Abstract

A new steroidal saponin was isolated from the leaves of Agave attenuata. Its structure was established as (3β,5β,25S)-spirostan-3-yl O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-d-galactopyranoside. The structural identification was performed using detailed analyses of ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra including 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques (COSY, HETCOR, and COLOC) and chemical conversions. The hemolytic activity of the steroidal saponin was evaluated using an in vitro assay.

Keywords:

• Agave attenuata
• Steroidal saponin
• Structural elucidation
• Hemolytic activity

Acknowledgements

The authors thank CNPq, FAPERJ, and FUJB for financial support.