Phytochemical and chemotaxonomic study on the rhizomes of Smilax riparia (Liliaceae)

Abstract A phytochemical study on the rhizomes of Smilax riparia led to the isolation of 16 saponin compounds, including nine furostanol steroidal saponins (1–4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14), six spirostanol steroidal saponins (5, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15) and one 20-carboxylic acid γ-lactone steroidal saponin (16). The structures of these compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods and comparison of their data with those reported in the literature. This is the first report of compounds 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11–16 from the genus Smilax . The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds has also been summarized.