Tuberoside M, a new cytotoxic spirostanol saponin from the seeds of Allium tuberosum.

Tuberoside M (1), isolated from the seeds of Allium tuberosum, shows a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line (HL-60) with IC50 value of 6.8 microg/ml. On the basis of spectral data and chemical reaction, its structure was established as (25S)-5beta-spirostane-1beta,3beta-diol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranoside.