Steroidal glycosides from Furcraea foetida and their cytotoxic activity.

Two new spirostanol glycosides (1, 2) and a new furostanol glycoside (3), together with nine known steroidal glycosides (4-12) were isolated from the leaves of Furcraea foetida (Agavaceae). The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against HL-60 human leukemia cells, A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells, HSC-2 human oral squamous carcinoma cells, and HSC-4 human oral squamous carcinoma cells.