The phospholipase D-inhibitory activity of a methanol extract from the leaves of a New Zealand plant, Myrsine australis, has been attributed to two new saponins 1 and 2. Compound 1 was assigned as 3-0-[-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-0-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)- -[0-beta-D