Objective: To find new active constituents from the aerial part of Cimicifuga foetida.
Method: Various column chromatographic techniques were used for the isolation and purification of the principles. The structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral data and chemical evidences.
Result: Four 9,19-cycloartane triterpenoid saponins were obtained and identified as Cimifoetiside III (25-anhydrocimigenol-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside, 1), 25-O-acetyl-cimigenol xylopyranoside (2), 25-O-acetyl-cimigenol galactopyranoside (3), 7 beta-hydrocimigenol xylopyranoside (4).
Conclusion: Compound 1 is new and compound 4 was isolated from this plant for the first time.