J Agric Food Chem. 2002 Jan; 50(2): 255-61.

Studies on the constituents of a Brazilian folk infusion. Isolation and structure elucidation of new triterpene saponins from Ilex amara leaves.

Pezzuto de Andrade FD, Piacente S, Pizza C, Vilegas W.

Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de QuÃmica de Araraquara, C. Postal 355, 14801-970 Araraquara, SP, Brazil.

The isolation of three new triterpene saponins 3beta-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-alpha-L-2-O-acetylarabinopyranosylolean-12-en-28-oic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester (2), 3beta-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-O-arabinopyranosylurs-12-en-28-oic acid (3), and 3beta-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-O-galactopyranosylurs-12-en-28-oic acid (4) together with five known saponins and one flavonoid glycoside from the aqueous infusion of Ilex amara (Vellozo) Loes. leaves is reported. All structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including the concerted application of one-dimensional (1H, TOCSY, 13C, and 13C DEPT NMR) and two-dimensional NMR techniques (DQF-COSY, HSQC, and HMBC).