Abstract
Two major saponins have been isolated from the stem bark of Cussonia barteri Seem (Araliaceae). Structural elucidation employing mainly 1H- and 13C-NMR, FAB-MS and GC-MS spectroscopic methods revealed a new hederagenin 28-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 → 4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1 → 6)]-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (Cussonoside A), and the corresponding oleanolic acid analogue (Cussonoside B). Cussonoside A exhibits a pronounced sedative effect.
