Steroidal saponins from Smilax medica and their antifungal activity.

Three new steroidal saponins (1-3) were isolated from the roots of Smilax medica, together with the known disporoside A (4). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated mainly by extensive spectroscopic analysis (1D and 2D NMR, FABMS, and HRESIMS). Compounds 1, 2, and 4 demonstrated weak antifungal activity against the human pathogenic yeasts Candida albicans, C. glabrata, and C.tropicalis, with MIC values between 12.5 and 50 microg/mL.