A new hederagenin based triterpenoid saponin, clematograveolenoside A (1), along with three known saponins, tomentoside A (2), huzhangoside D (3) and clematoside S (4), were isolated from the roots and rhizomes of Clematis graveolens. The structure of new compound was elucidated on the basis of detailed analysis of chemical and spectroscopic data including 1D-and 2D NMR spectra. Compound 2 was found the most effective against aphid (Aphis craccivora) with an LC 50 of 1.2 and 0.5 mg/mL after treatment for 72 and 96 h, respectively and was followed by compound 4 (LC 50 = 2.3 and 1.9 mg/mL) and 1 (LC 50 = 3.2 and 2.6 mg/mL). In case of termite (Coptotermis homii), compound 1 was found more toxic with an LC 50 of 0.1 mg/L after 24 h of treatment followed by compound 2, 3 and 4 (LC 50 = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.2 mg/mL, respectively).

One new triterpenoid saponin named cuspidate A (1) along with a known oleanane-based triterpenoid saponin clemontanoside-C were isolated from the roots of Lepidagathis cuspidata. The structure of new compound (1) was established after detailed analysis of spectroscopic data including 1D and 2D NMR spectra. This is the first report on clemontanoside-C from this genus. These saponins were found to be effective against the selected fungal strains Aspergillus flavus, Rhizopus stolinifer, Penicillum nodatum, Aspergillus fumigates. Compound 1 showed better activity, comparable to the synthetic drug, while compound 2 showed a moderate effect against all studied fungal strains.

The genus Clematis has been a source of various traditionally useful and pharmacologically active species. Many plants of this genus are prominently climbers and woody vines. The species are mosly wild however; few are grown as ornamental plants. The species Clematis apifolia, Clematis ganpiniana, Clematis graveolens, and Clematis terniflora were selected to study on their traditional use, chemical composition and pharmacological effects reported in literature. In folklore these species are used as antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, anodyne, antidote, diuretic and sedative agents. The triterpenoid saponins are the dominant compounds of these species flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans, coumarins, steroids and volatile oils have also been reported. The pharmacological effects evaluated are antioxidant, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotectve, and anti-inflammatory activities. As such these species has emerged as good source of traditional medicines. The chemical compounds isolated from these species have been reported for their pharmacological effects. Although, few experimental studies validated their traditional claim, but uncharacterized crude extracts were employed in most of the activities. Such species need to be explored properly for their bioactive principle and exploited as potential drug. The review will help the researchers to select medicinally potential species of Clematis for future research.