STUDIES ON THE SAPONINS FROM THE ROOT BARK OF ARALIA CHINENSIS L.

Six saponins were isolated from the root bark of Aralia chinensis L.. The three saponins Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ were identified as araloside A (Ⅰ), narcissiflorine (Ⅱ) and oleanolic acid 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-2)-α-L-arabinopyranoside (Ⅲ). Saponin Ⅲ was found to be a new compound and was named as araloside D.