NMR spectroscopy of steroidal sapogenins and steroidal saponins: An update

The C-13 NMR chemical shifts of 126 steroidal sapogenins published between 1983 and 1993 are listed and critical spectral features and advances made in the NMR characterization of these compounds are discussed as a guide for the identification of the parent skeleton and the determination of substitution patterns. The NMR spectroscopic methods applicable to deduce the complete structure of the oligosaccharide moiety and its linkage to the sapogenin residue are also presented to elucidate the structure of steroidal saponins.