The phytochemical study of Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC. (Fabaceae), commonly known as the Chinese Wisteria, led to the isolation of seven oleanane-type glycosides from an aqueous-ethanolic extract of the roots. Among the seven isolated saponins, two have never been reported before: 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosyl-22-O-acetylolean-12-ene-3β,16β,22β,30-tetrol, and 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-D-glucuronopyranosylwistariasapogenol A. Based on the close structures between the saponins from W. sinensis, and the glycyrrhizin from licorice, the stimulation of the sweet taste receptor TAS1R2/TAS1R3 by these glycosides was evaluated.
Keywords: Fabaceae; TAS1R2/TAS1R3; Wisteria sinensis; sweet taste; triterpene glycosides.