Studies on the chemical constituents of the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida L.

Aim To look for new active constituents from the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida L. Methods Various column chromatographic techniques were used for the isolation and purification of the principles. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and chemical evidences. Results Five 9,19-cycloartane triterpenoid saponins and one sitosterol saponin were obtained and identified as cimifoetiside I ［12β-hydroxycimigenol-3-O-β-D-galactoyranoside, (1)］, cimifoetiside II ［(23R,24R) cimigenol-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside, (2)］, cimigenol-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside (3), 12β-hydroxycimigenol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside (4), 12β-hydroxycimigenol-3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (5), daucosterol (6). Conclusion Compounds 1 and 2 are new and compounds 4 and 5 were isolated from this plant for the first time.