Characterization of steroidal glycosides from Tylophora sylvatica

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4020(01)80868-1

Two new steroidal glycosides (tylophoroside 1 and its monoacetate acetyltylophoroside 2) from Tylophora sylvatica (Asclepiadaceae), a medicinal plant from the Ivory Coast, were characterized, largely by 2-D NMR methods. 1, C₄₈H₇₂O₂₂, was found to have three sugars units connected by a vinyl ether linkage to the 3-position of a steroidal aglycone (a new feature in a natural product). The aglycone part contains a novel lactone ring attached at C-13, formed in nature after opening of the D-ring at the 14-15 bond. 1 and 2 have cardiotonic activity, and the aglycone tylogenin 3 if more active than the widely used dexamethasone in anti-allergic assays.