Clinochinsaponin A, a triterpenoid saponin from the aerial parts of Clinopodium chinense.

A new triterpenoid saponin, 3β,16β,23α,28β-tetrahydroxyoleana-11,13(18)- dien-30β-oic acid-3-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-D- fucopyranoside, which was named clino-chinsaponin A (1), together with three known compounds, namely clinoposaponin D (2), naringenin (3), and narirutin (4), were isolated from Clinopodium chinense (Benth.) Kuntze. The structural assignments for the isolated compounds were elucidated by analysis of NMR data, and by comparison of the acquired spectroscopic data with values reported in the literature. Moreover, compounds 1, 2, and 4 were tested against five bacterial strains (Gram-positive and Gram-negative). Among them, compound 1 showed weak antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.