Filiasparosides A−D, Cytotoxic Steroidal Saponins from the Roots of Asparagus filicinus

Four new steroidal saponins, filiasparosides A−D (1−4), together with known aspafiliosides A (5) and B (6) were isolated from the roots of Asparagus filicinus. The structures of these new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic study and chemical analysis. Compounds 1−6 were cytotoxic against human lung carcinoma (A549) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) tumor cell lines with EC₅₀ values of 2.3−16.8 μg/mL. Compound 3 showed the most potent cytotoxicity, with EC₅₀ values of 2.3 and 3.0 μg/mL toward A549 and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively.