Extraction of saponins from rhizomes of ruscus aculeatus

摘要

The rhizomes of Ruscus aculeatus L. (Lileaceae) (butcher's broom or knee holly) are extracted with a satd. aqs. soln. of n-butanol, the butanolic phase is evaporated, the residue is taken up in an alcohol, pref. MeOH, and the saponins precipitated with a suitable agent. The agent used to precipitate the saponins is pref. a mixture of ether and acetone. The crude saponins may be purified by chromatography on an alumina column. Saponins are of use in the pharmaceutical industry.