Abstract: Threc steroidal saponins were isolated from dried rhizoma of Paris poly-Phylla Sm. var. yunnanensis (Fr.) H-M. and were identified as diosgenin 3- O- α- L-rhamnopyanosyl-(1 →2 ) - β- D-glucopyranoside V, pennogenin 3- O - α- L-rhamno-pyranosyl-(1 →2 ) - β-D -glucopyranoside VI, pcnnogenin 3- O - α-L -rhamnopyranosyl- (1→ 4 ) - α-L - rhamnopyanosy1- (1 →4 ) - [ α- L - rhamnopyanosyl(1 →2 )]- β-D-glucopyramnoside VII, respectively. VI and VII, have shown interesting biological activity.

Key words: saponin, plant, glycosides