Article

A review of steroidal sapogenins (SGs) found in Asparagus and Ruscus species is presented. Intergeneric differences in SG content and structure can be observed. For Asparagus monohydroxy-SGs are characteristic, whereas in Ruscus di- and trihydroxy-SGs are found. Some published data, which appear to contradict this generai piclure, called for a phytochemical reinvestigation of A. verticillatus, A. maritimus, and R. ponticus. The results do noI confirm the presence of (dihydroxy-SG) ruscogenin in Asparagus or of (monohydroxy-SG) diosgenin in Ruscus, thus supporting the assumption that the two genera have no SGs in common.