Examinations were made on the chemical components of the rhizome of Ophiopogon japonicus KER-GAWLBR var. genuinus MAXIM. (Liliaceae). Four kinds of glycoside were isolated in crystaline form and were named ophiopogonin-A, -B, -C, and -D. Ophiopogonin-A formed colorless needles (from hydrated ethanol), mp 183°, [α]29.0D-98.8°(pyridine) ; ophiopogonin-B, colorless needles (from ethanol), mp 269-271°, [α]15.0D-105.5°(pyridine) ; ophiopogonin-D, colorless needles (from hydrated ethanol), mp 263-265°, [α]14.0D-107.9°(pyridine). Ophiopogonin-C formed colorless needles (from water-saturated ethyl acetate), mp 187° The genin portion of ophiopogonin-A, -B, and-D is ruscogenin in all. The sugar portion of ophiopogonin-B consists of fucose and rhamnose, and that of ophiopogonin-D, fucose, rhamnose, and xylose. Ophiopogonin-A was found to be the partially acetylated compound of ophiopogonin-B. In addition to these substances, the presence of β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol-β-D-glucoside in the ether-soluble portion was clarified.
