STUDIES ON THE CHEMICAL COMPONENTS OF TRIBULUS TERRESTIRS

AIM: To investigate the bioactive constituents of the fruits of Tribulus terrestris L.. METHODS: Silica gel column chromatography and HPLC were used for isolation. The structures of the saponins were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. RESULTS: Two furostanal saponins were isolated and identified from the fruits of Tribulus terrestris. , and their structures were elucidated as 26- O-β-D-glucopyranosyl (25 R,S )- 5α-furostane 12 one 20(22) en 3β,26 diol-3-O-β-D -glucopyranosyl(1→4) β -D -galactopyranoside (I), 26- O-β-D- glucopyranosyl (25 R ) 5α furostane 12 one 3β,22α,26 triol-3-O-β-D -glucopyranosyl(1→2) -β- D-galactopyranoside (II). CONCLUSION: Both are new compounds.