Starfish saponins-XI. Isolation and partial characterization of the saponins from the starfish Marthasterias glacialis

1. 1. The saponin mixture isolated from Marthasterias glacialis was resolved through a series of chromatographic steps into four principal individual components, named marthasteroside A1, A2, B and C. 2. 2. The isolated sulphate steroidal glycosides were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Fast Atom Bombardment mass spectrometry and GLC analysis of the sugars after acid hydrolysis. 3. 3. Marthasteroside A1 and A2 contained the aglycone thornastrol A and six sugar units. The second group of compounds, marthasteroside B and C, contained five sugar units; the aglycone of marthasteroside B was identified as marthasterone, while that of marthasteroside C was identified as dihydromarthasterone. In all compounds the sulphate group is attached at C-3 of the steroid. © 1983.