No abstract

During an investigation of the Indian heterosporous fern Selaginella chrysocaulos, two novel C 28 spirostene monosides, chrysocauloside A and B were identified. Chrysocauloside A (1,3-dihydroxy-20S,22R-spirost-5-ene-1-yl -D-glucopyranoside) and chrysocauloside B (1,3-dihydroxy-20S,22R-spirost-5-ene-1-yl -D-galactopyranoside) are O-glycosylated at C-1 and each bear a methyl group at C-24 and C-25. Spectroscopic (NMR) and MS data for the new compounds are given and the taxonomic significance of the occurrence of spirostenes in the group of Lycophyta is discussed.