Saponins from the rhizomes of Polygonatum nodosum Hua and their chemotaxonomic significance

Phytochemical investigation on the rhizomes of Polygonatum nodosum Hua resulted in the isolation of thirteen saponins, which could be subdivided into eleven spirostanol saponins (1–5, 7–11 and 13) and two triterpenoid saponins (6 and 12). Structure elucidation of these isolates was performed based on MS, CD, 1D and 2D NMR data. All compounds (1–13) were first reported from P. nodosumthis, and compound diosgenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (7) was first reported from the family Asparagaceae. Moreover, the chemotaxonomic significance of isolates was detailedly introduced. •Thirteen saponins were first isolated from P. nodosum.•Diosgenin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1. → 2)-[O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside was first isolated from the family Asparagaceae.•P. nodosum has a close chemotaxonomic relationship with other Polygonatum species.