Hosta Longipes Research Articles

First Report of Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum spaethianum on Hosta longipes in Korea.

Hosta longipes (Franch. & Sav.) Matsum. (Asparagaceae) is a perennial, herbaceous plant, native to Japan and Korea (Lee et al. 2021). In Korea, the plant is used as an edible vegetable and ornamental (Kang and Ju 2015). During 2021-2022, anthracnose symptoms were observed on leaves of H. longipes with over 70% disease incidence in Wanju-gun (35°38'47''N; 127°31'16''E) and Jangsu-gun (35°35'31''N; 127°30'03''E) in Jeollabuk-do, Korea. The disease initially appeared on old leaves, gradually spreading to young ones. The symptoms were characterized as yellow to white discoloration on the upper leaf surface with black necrotic tissue in the center of the lesion. Three H. longipes samples with anthracnose symptoms were collected. From each, a monoconidial isolate was obtained and then deposited in the Korea Agricultural Culture Collection (accession Nos. KACC 410038, 410391, and 410443). The dried specimens were housed at the herbarium of Jeonbuk National University (JBNU0129, 0137) and Korea University (KUS-F33379). Conidiomata was acervular, 65 to 80 × 56 to 70 µm in diam. Setae were dark brown, 2 to 4-septate, 63 to 161 µm long, being formed on a pale brown cushion. Conidia were hyaline, smooth-walled, aseptate, slightly curved, base truncate, 3.9 to 5.1 × 17 to 23 µm. The appressoria were solitary, olivaceous-brown, ovoid or irregularly shaped. Two-week-old colonies grown on PDA at 25 ℃ were 20-25 mm in diameter, initially white, then turned gray with age, with cottony aerial mycelium. The morphological and cultural characteristics of the fungus were consistent with those of Colletotrichum spaethianum (Allesch.) Damm, P.F. Cannon & Crous (Damm et al. 2012). To confirm morphology-based identification, the nucleotide sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA region, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), actin (actA), chitin synthase (CHS1), histone (HIS3) and tubulin (TUB2) genes were determined for KACC410443, as outlined by Cannon et al. (2012) and Damm et al. (2009). The resulting sequences were submitted into GenBank (PP000829 for ITS, PP133094 for GAPDH, PP083418 for actA, PP133091 for CHS1, PP133097 for HIS3, and PP133099 for TUB2) and compared with reference sequences in GenBank using BLASTn search tool. The results showed a 100% match with C. spaethianum (MT611068), C. incanum (MN880260) and C. truncatum (EF016303) for ITS, and 100% with C. spaethianum for GAPDH (MH370513), actA (MH045677), CHS1 (MH370520), HIS3 (MH985161), and TUB (MH456884). Pathogenicity was tested by inoculating conidial suspension (1 ×104 cfu/ml) of three-week-old fungal colonies of the isolate KACC410443 onto leaves of three healthy potted plants. Prior to inoculation, leaves were deliberately wounded by pinpricking with a sterilized needle. Two wounded but non-inoculated plants served as controls. Plants were maintained in a greenhouse at 25 to 30 °C. Inoculated plants developed anthracnose symptoms after eight days, while the control plants remained symptomless. The fungus isolated from the inoculated plants was morphologically identical to that observed initially, fulfilling Koch's postulates. To our knowledge, there is no previous record of C. spaethianum on H. longipes, although C. spaethianum has been reported to infect another species, H. plantaginea (Cheon and Jeon 2016). This is the first report of this fungus on H. longipes in Korea (KSPP 2024) and globally (Farr and Rossman 2024). The anthracnose on this ornamental plant can be considered a new severe threat to planting strategies in gardens.

Rust on Hosta longipes caused by Puccinia oncospora in Korea

Hosta longipes (Liliaceae), widely distributed throughout Korea, China, Japan, and eastern Russia, is one of the most popular ornamental perennials in public and private gardens. In Korea, this species has long been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of coughs, phlegm, burns, swelling and asthma (Kim et al., 2014), and its young leaves are also consumed as a salad vegetable. In June 2016, rust disease was observed on H. longipes plants growing naturally around a stream at Mount Gongjaksan in Hongcheon-gun, Korea (Fig. 1). The disease incidence rate was c. 10%. Symptoms appeared as yellowish, round, chlorotic spots on the upper surface of the infected leaves (Fig. 2) and yellow to orange-coloured aecia on the corresponding lower surface and petiole (Fig. 3). After the first findings, the same disease was observed in 2017, 2019 and 2020. Herbarium specimens of infected material were deposited in the Korea University Herbarium (Accession Nos. KUS-F29182, F29810, F30967, and F31685). Leaves affected by the rust infection were examined under a dissecting microscope (M205C; Leica, Germany), a DIC microscope (Axio Imager 2; Carl Zeiss, Germany), and a scanning electron microscope (S-4800+EDS; Hitachi, Japan). Spermogonia were mostly epiphyllous but rarely hypophyllous, densely grouped, pale brown, and subepidermal. Aecia were hypophyllous, often densely grouped, yellow, cupulate with peridia, and 196–300 μm in diameter (Fig. 4). Aeciospores were hyaline, globose to subglobose, angular, and (20.2-)22.0-24.9(-27.4) × (17.0-)19.6-22.5(-24.2) μm (mean 23.4 × 21.0 μm) (Fig. 5). Aeciospore wall was densely verrucose and 0.6-1.6 μm (mean 1.0 μm) in thickness (Fig. 6). Uredinial and telial stages were not observed. These morphological characteristics were consistent with those of Puccinia oncospora (Ji et al., 2022). To confirm the morphology-based identification, genomic DNA was extracted from four specimens using a MagListo 5M plant Genomic DNA Extraction Kit (Bioneer, Korea). Two ribosomal DNA regions were amplified: the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) with primers ITS5u and ITS4rust (Pfunder et al., 2001) and the large subunit (LSU) rDNA with primers LRust1R and LRust3 (Beenken et al., 2012). The resulting sequences were deposited in GenBank (Accession Nos. OQ061206-9 for ITS and OQ073721-4 for LSU) and compared to other reference sequences using BLASTn. The ITS sequences of Korean specimens were identical to those of P. oncospora ex Trillium kamtschaticum and Phalaris arundinacea for ITS (MW404821-5) and LSU sequences (MW404981-5). In maximum-likelihood phylogenetic trees for ITS (Fig. 7A) and LSU (Fig. 7B) sequences, the Korean samples were grouped with the reference sequences of P. oncospora with high bootstrap supporting values of 93% in ITS and 96% in LSU. Puccinia oncospora is a recently described rust species that is so far only known from China, where it completes its life cycle by forming an aecial stage on Trillium kamtschaticum (Melanthiaceae, previously Liliaceae) and a telial stage on Phalaris arundinacea (Poaceae; Ji et al., 2022). So far, three species of Puccinia have been recorded on Hosta longipes, namely, P. funkiae, P. hemerocallidis, and P. majanthemi (Hiratsuka & Sato, 1951; Farr & Rossman, 2022). Also, a species complex P. sessilis was considered parasitic on H. longipes (Hiratsuka & Sato, 1951), but it is phylogenetically and morphologically distinguishable from P. oncospora. To our knowledge, this is the first record of rust disease on Hosta longipes and this rust pathogen in Korea. As there have been no records of rust on P. arundinacea, a telial host plant of P. oncospora, in Korea, finding an alternative host for that rust is necessary to develop effective control measures. This work was supported by the National Academy of Agricultural Science grant (PJ0149560112020) from the Rural Development Administration, Korea.

Hosta longipes inhibits melanogenesis by reducing expression of the melanocortin 1 receptor

Hosta longipes inhibits melanogenesis by reducing expression of the melanocortin 1 receptor

Growth and Physiological Responses of Three Landscape Plants to Calcium Chloride

The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of calcium chloride (CaCl2) used as a de-icing agent on growth and physiological responses of three ground cover plants, Hosta longipes, Iris ensata, and Iris pseudacorus. CaCl2 concentration was set to be 0 mM (control), 9 mM (0.1%), 18 mM (0.2%), and 54 mM (0.6%). After treatment with CaCl2 for 3 months, plant heights, fresh weights of shoots and roots, photosynthetic rates, chlorophyll fluorescence, chlorophyll content (SPAD), and leaf water potential were measured. After Hosta longipes was treated with CaCl2 for 60 days, physiological damage began to occur in all treatment groups except for the control group. Those treated with 54 mM CaCl2 completely withered. At 90 days after treatment (DAT), there were significant differences for all measured parameters for Hosta longipes compared to the control (p < 0.001). The higher the treatment concentration, the lower the photosynthetic rate, the SPAD, and the leaf water potential. There was no significant difference in plant height in Iris ensata after 60 DAT (p > 0.05), but in other physiological responses, there was a significant difference by concentration (p < 0.001). Iris ensata had a visually healthier state at 90 DAT, showing the smallest reduction in photosynthetic rate at 60 DAT and 90 DAT. Its SPAD value was increased more at 90 DAT than at 60 DAT, indicating its higher resistance to CaCl2. Iris pseudacorus showed similar results as Iris ensata. Over time, the 54 mM treatment resulted in significant damage. Among these three plants, Iris ensata showed the highest tolerance to CaCl2. Therefore, they are considered to be highly beneficial ground cover plants for green infrastructure in urban areas with high CaCl2 concentrations.

First report of tobacco mosaic virus infecting Hosta longipes in Korea

First report of tobacco mosaic virus infecting Hosta longipes in Korea

Hosta longipes and its Active Compounds Control Melanogenesis in B16F10 Melanoma Cells

Hosta longipes (FR. et SAV.) MATSUMURA (Liliaceae) is an edible vegetable in Korea and widely distributed throughout Korea, China, and Japan. It is called “Bi‐Bi‐Chu” in Korea, and its young leaves are consumed raw as a salad. This plant has been used as a Korean traditional medicine for the treatment of swelling, inflammation and snake bites. In this study, we confirmed the whitening effects of Hosta longipes ethanol extract in B16F10 cells and identified that hexane fraction had the highest whitening effect by serial solvent fractionation. To identify the active ingredients in the hexane fraction we performed column chromatography and it was confirmed that linolenic acid and linoleic acid reduced the melanin contents in B16F10 cells. The anti‐melanogenesis potential of linolenic acid and linoleic acid in Hosta longipes will provide insight into the development of new skin whitening products.Support or Funding InformationThis research was financially supported by the Ministry of Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises(SMEs) and Startups(MSS), Korea, under the “Regional Star‐Enterprise Development Program(R&D, P0010100)” supervised by the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology(KIAT)

Implications of CaCl2 application to plants in LID facilities.

Low impact development (LID) technologies mimic the natural water cycle through the physico-chemical and biological interactions of plants, filter media and soil, and microorganisms, thereby reducing the release of pollutants. In LID facilities, plants carry out photosynthesis, facilitate microbial growth, and uptake pollutants contained in stormwater runoff. However, de-icers (CaCl2) used to melt snow during winter slow the growth of plants and even increase plant mortality. In addition, de-icers change the soil structure, causing changes in soil content and affecting the growth of plants and microorganisms. Therefore, this study examined the effects of CaCl2 on the resistance of plants, the removal efficiency of non-point source pollutants, and water circulation. The mortality rate of the tree and shrubs caused by CaCl2 was found to be in the order of Rhododendron indicum > Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora > Metasequoia glyptostroboides. For herbaceous plants, mortality rate was in the order of Pratia pedunculata > Aquilegia japonica > Tagetes erecta > Sedum makinoi aurea > Hosta longipes > Dianthus chinensis > Acorus gramineus > Liriope platyphylla. In addition, it was found that the amount of chlorophyll decreases with high concentrations of CaCl2. The findings of this research will be useful for plant selection considering CaCl2 concentrations applied to paved areas during the winter.

Study on the Possibility of Paper Mill Sludge Application for Green Roof throughout Assessment of Plant Drought Tolerance

The purpose of this study was to find out the possibility of paper mill sludge application for green roof by assessing drought tolerance of Hosta longipes with five different mixing ratio of paper mill sludge and horticultural substrate (9:1, 7:3, 5:5, 3:7 and 1:9). From August 11th to September 29th, number of leaves, plant height, leaf size, chlorophyll content, volumetric water content, evapotranspiration, and relative water content (RWC) were measured. As results, 9:1 was reached 0% of volumetric water content earliest and withered earliest on 35th day of unirrigated experiment, and 7:3 was withered on 42th day. All other mixing ratios were withered on 43th day or later. As for chlorophyll content, all mixing ratios steadily decreased and showed similar patterns. Number of leaves and leaf size were very stable for 21 days and then rapidly decreased. Soil moisture reduction patterns were almost same and evapotranspiration reduction was directly proportional to ratio of horticultural substrate. In conclusion, 50% or less of paper mill sludge application does not significantly affect drought tolerance of H. longipes so that paper mill sludge can be used as substrate for green roof.

중금속(카드늄, 납, 아연)처리에 따른 자생 비비추(Hosta longipes)의 형태적 반응

The aim of this study was to examine the morphological responses of Hosta longipes, an ornamental plants for heavy metal contaminated soils in urban landscaping, to heavy metals Cd, Pb, and Zn. Plants were grown in artificial soil amended with Cd, Pb, and Zn at concentation of 0, 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg. Plant height, leaf length, leaf width, total leaf number, deaf leaf number, new leaf number, chlorophyll contents, and ornamental value were monitored from May to August. At 4 months after planting, the survival and morphological responses of H. longipes grown in soil amended with Cd at concentrations <TEX>${\geq}100mg/kg$</TEX> were severely affected compared to those grown in the control soil. Relative leaf length rate and relative leaf width rate were significantly decreased when the concentration of Pb was increased. Total leaf number, chlorophyll contents, and ornamental value were the lowest value in plants grown in soil amended with Pb at level of 500 mg/kg. Relative leaf length rate and relative leaf width rate, total leaf number, dead leaf number, new leaf number, and ornamental values had a tendency of decrease when plants were grown in soils amended with Zn. However, no significant difference was found among treatments except for plants were grown in soils amended with 500 mg/kg Zn. Therefore, Hosta longipes might be useful for phytoremediation of Zn contaminated sites as herbaceous ornamental plants.

Flavonoid Glycosides fromHosta longipes, Their Inhibition on NO Production, and Nerve Growth Factor Inductive Effects

An extended phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Hosta longipes identified the new flavonoid glycoside, kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[6'-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside]-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and five known flavonoid derivatives. The structures of two compounds were revealed by extensive NMR methods (1H and 13C NMR, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC and HMBC) and chemical hydrolysis. NMR data of one of them are published for the first time. Bioactivities of six compounds revealed that five strongly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) with IC50 values of 11.56-15.97 µm in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells without cell toxicity. Two compounds showed moderate induction of secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF) in C6 glioma cells (124.70 ± 7.71% and 117.02 ± 3.60%, respectively).

Phytoremediation of Soils Contaminated with Heavy Metal by Hosta longipes in Urban Shade

Hosta longipes is one of the most popular ornamental perennials in use in Korea today, and is mainly used as a groundcover plant in urban shaded places. In this study, the pytoremediation effect of Hosta longipes was tested using four concentrations (Control, 100, 250 and 500mg·kg -1 ) of Cd, Pb and Zn in soil. The plants were planted in 300mm × 200mm × 250mm drainless-containers, which were filled with a artificial amended soil for 7 months. The results showed that the contents of heavy metals cadmium and lead in the shoot of Hosta longipes increased with 도시 내 음지 중금속 오염지에 대한 비비추의 식물정화 효과 주진희 . 윤용한* Phytoremediation of Soils Contaminated with Heavy Metal by Hosta longipes in Urban Shade Jin-Hee Ju . Young-Han Yoon* 건국대학교 녹색기술융합학과 (Department of Green Techonology Convergence, College of Science Technology, Konkuk University) 제출: 2013년 2월 12일 수정: 2013년 9월 18일 승인: 2013년 12월 5일 * 교신저자: yonghan7204@kku.ac.kr

ChemInform Abstract: Steroidal Constituents from the Leaves of Hosta longipes and Their Inhibitory Effects on Nitric Oxide Production

Abstractisolation, structure and inhibition of NO production of three new steroidal compounds, longipenane (Ia), longipenane 26‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside (Ib) and a new trisaccharide, along with two known steroidal saponins

기린초와 비비추의 오존에 대한 생리·생화학적 반응

본 연구에서는 오존에 대한 다년생 지피식물의 내성과 피해 특징을 알아보고자 하였다. 이를 위해 도심 녹화 수종으로 많이 이용되는 지피식물인 기린초(Sedum kamtschaticum)와 비비추(Hosta longipes)를 대상으로 환경조절형 자연광 노출상에서 <TEX>$200{\mu}g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$</TEX>의 오존을 하루 8시간씩(오전 8시-오후 4시) 처리하였다. 초종간 피해 정도는 생리활성 분석[수분이용효율(water use efficiency), 엽록소(chlorophyll) 및 카로티노이드(carotenoid) 함량]과 활성산소종 발생분석을 통해 조사하였다. 오존처리는 기린초와 비비추 모두에서 낮 동안의 수분이용효율을 현저하게 감소시키는 것으로 조사되었다. 엽록소 함량과 카로티노이드 함량 역시 두 수종 모두 오존처리에 따라 감소되었으며, hydrogen peroxide(<TEX>$H_2O_2$</TEX>)와 superoxide radical(<TEX>$O_2{^-}$</TEX>)과 같은 활성산소종의 축적이 확인되었다. 이와 같은 결과들을 토대로 기린초가 비비추에 비해 대기 중 오존에 대한 저항성이 높은 것으로 보이며, 오존에 대한 반응이 빠른 초종인 비비추의 경우 대기 중 오존 농도증가에 대한 지표식물로도 활용할 수 있을 것으로 생각된다. In this study, the resistance to ozone and characteristics of ozone-induced damage were investigated on the perennial ground cover plant species. Sedum kamtschaticum and Hosta longipes were exposed to <TEX>$200{\mu}g{\cdot}kg^{-1}$</TEX> ozone for 8 hours per day (from 08:00 to 16:00) in the naturally irradiated phytotron. The extent of ozone-induced damage was measured through the analysis of physiological parameters, such as water use efficiency (WUE), chlorophyll content (Chl. a, Chl. b, Chl. a + b, and Chl. a/b ratio), carotenoid contents, and the induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Ozone exposure significantly reduced the daytime WUE in both species. The contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid were also decreased and ROS, such as hydrogen peroxide (<TEX>$H_2O_2$</TEX>) and superoxide radical (<TEX>$O_2{^-}$</TEX>) were accumulated after ozone exposure. The above results of this study suggested that S. kamtschaticum is more resistant to atmospheric ozone than Hosta longipes. Considering its fast responses to ozone, it was also assumed that Hosta longipes can be used as an indicator plant of an increase in atmospheric ozone concentration.

Steroidal constituents from the leaves of Hosta longipes and their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production

Hosta longipes (FR. et SAV.) MATSUMURA (Liliaceae) is an edible vegetable in Korea. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the potential of H. longipes as a functional food for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In this respect, the study resulted in the identification of three new steroidal compounds, longipenane (1), longipenane 26-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2) and neogitogenin 3-O-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)]-β-d-galactopyranoside (3), along with two known steroidal saponins (4 and 5). The identification and structural elucidation of these compounds were based on 1D and 2D NMR measurements, high-resolution FAB mass spectroscopy (HR-FAB-MS), and chemical methods. A proinflammatory mediator, nitric oxide (NO), in murine microglial BV-2 cells was used to assess the anti-neuroinflammatory effect of the isolated compounds from H. longipes. Among them, compounds 4 and 5 showed strong inhibitory effects on NO production without high cell toxicity in lipopolysaccharide-activated BV-2 cells (IC50=17.66 and 13.16μM, respectively).

Relationships between floral morphology and pollinator fauna in insular and main island populations of Hosta longipes (Liliaceae)

AbstractWe compared the floral morphologies and pollinator fauna and morphologies of Hosta longipes var. longipes on the main Japanese island of Honshu and var. latifolia on the Izu Islands to examine the differentiation processes of H. longipes in the island system. The corolla length was shorter on the southern Izu Islands than on the main island and northern Izu Islands. However, the size of other flower parts of H. longipes did not simply decrease across main island Honshu and the Izu Islands, unlike other Izu endemic plant species studied previously. Instead, the floral morphology showed a complicated variation pattern. Pollinator fauna of H. longipes on the Izu Islands varied more widely than those on the main island. The diverse pollinator fauna may have influenced the morphological differentiation of H. longipes on these islands.

Three new steroidal constituents from Hosta longipes

Hosta longipes (FR. et SAV.) MATSUMURA (Liliaceae) is a perennial grass that is widely distributed throughout Korea. This plant has been used as a Korean traditional medicine for the treatment of ulcer, tuberculosis, melena and leukorrhea. In the previous phytochemical investigations, steroidal saponins were mainly isolated and some of them showed cytotoxic activity towards HeLa cells.

Synthesis of the Cytotoxic Gitogenin 3β-O-[2-O-(α-l-Rhamnopyranosyl)-β-d-galactopyranoside] and its Congeners

(25R)-5a-Spirostan-2a,3b-diol (gitogenin) 3β-O-[2-O-(α-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-d-galactopyranoside] (1), a cytotoxic spirostan saponin isolated from the underground parts of Hosta longipes (Liliaceae), was concisely synthesized. In this context, its congeners 2-4 were also prepared. All four compounds showed comparable potency to dioscin in inhibition against the growth of tumor cells.

Sclerotium rolfsii에 의한 비비추 흰비단병

2004과 2005년 7월 경상남도 진주시 칠암동 남강변에 재배중인 비비추에서 S. rolfsii에 의한 흰비단병이 발생되었다. 병징은 잎자루, 줄기, 지제부위가 수침상으로 물러지고 부패하면서 암갈색으로 되고 시들어 말라 죽는다. 병반부와 지제부위의 토양 표면에 흰색의 곰팡이가 솜털처럼 생기고 갈색의 둥근 균핵을 많이 형성되었다. 감자한천 배지에서 갈색의 둥근 균핵을 많이 형성하였으며 크기는 <TEX>$1\~3$</TEX>mm였다. 균사의 폭은 <TEX>$4\~8{\mu}m$</TEX>이며, 균사생육 적온은 <TEX>$30^{\circ}C$</TEX>였다. 균사특유의 clamp connection이 관찰되었다. 비비추에서 발생한 병징과 균학적 특징 및 병원성을 검정한 결과, 이 병을 Sclerotium rolfsii Saccardo에 의한 비비추 흰비단병으로 명명하고자 한다. The stem rot disease was found on Hosta longipes that planted in the flower beds along the Namgang riverside in Jinju city, Korea. The disease occurred first time in July, 2004 and sporadically occurred in 2005. The typical symptom of the disease is water-soaking, dark brown spot on the stem, and getting wilt. The infected plants were mostly died. White mycelial mats were spread over lesions and sclerotia were formed on stems and near soil line. The sclerotia were globoid in shape, <TEX>$1\~3$</TEX> mm in diameter and white to brown in color, The optimum temperature for mycelial growth of the fungus on PDA was <TEX>$30^{\circ}C$</TEX> and the hyphal width was <TEX>$4\~8{\mu}m$</TEX>. Clamp connections were observed in the hyphae of the fungus grown on PDA. Pathogenicity of the causal organism was proved on Hosta longipes according to Koch,s postulate. On the basis of mycological characteristics and pathogenicity to host plants, the fungus was identified as Sclerotium rolfsii Saccardo. This is the first report on the stem rot of H. longipes caused by S. rolfsii in Korea.

Steroidal saponins from Hosta longipes and their inhibitory activity on tumour promoter-induced phospholipid metabolism of HeLa Cells

Three new spirostanol saponins and two new furostanol saponins were isolated from the underground parts of Hosta longipes. Their structures were determined to be (25 R)-5 α-spirostane-2 α,3 β-diol (gitogenin) 3-O-{O-α- l- rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β- d- galactopyranoside} , gitogenin 3-O-{O-α- l- rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O-[β- d- glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β- d- galactopyranoside} , (25 R)-5 α-spirostan-3 β-ol (tigogenin) 3-O-{O-α- l- rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O-[β- d- glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β- d- galactopyranoside} , 26-O-β- d- glucopyranosyl-22-O- methyl-(25R)-5α- furostane-2α,3β,22ζ,26- tetrol 3-O-{O-α- l- rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β- d- galactopyranoside} and 26-O-β- d- glucopyranosyl-22-O- methyl-(25R)-5α- furostane-2α,3β,22ξ,26- tetrol 3-O-{O-α- l- rhamnopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O-[β- d- glucopyranosyl-(1 → 4)]-β- d- galactopyranoside} , respectively. The isolated saponins and their derivatives were examined for inhibitory activity on 12- O-tetradecanoylphorbor-13-acetate-stimulated 32P-incorporation into phospholipids of HeLa cells as the primary screening test to find new antitumour-promoter compounds.