The phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Sesbania sesban Merrill (Leguminosae) afforded three glucuronide derivatives of oleanolic acid. Among them, saponin 1, identified as 3-0-[a-L-rhamnopyranosyI-(1-*3)-3-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-oIeanolic acid, was responsible for the molluscicidal activity of the plant.

Three new bidesmosidic saponins 1–3 have been isolated from the berries of Phytolacca dodecandra L′HERIT (Phytolaccaeae). The structures have been established by spectroscopic (1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, FAB‐MS, DCI‐MS, and GC/MS) and chemical methods (acid, basic, and enzymatic hydrolysis). Saponins 1 and 3 are tetra‐ and pentaglycosides of oleanolic acid, whereas 2 is a tetraglycoside of bayogenin. The corresponding prosapogenins 1a‐3a, obtained by cleavage of a glucose unit esterified at C(28), exhibited strong molluscicidal activity against schistosomiasis‐transmitting snails.

A new hydroquinone diterpenoid was isolated from Clerodendrum uncinatum SCHINZ (Verbenaceae) by flash chromatography on silica gel. The structure was established as 7,1l-dihydroxy-3,4,9,1 lb-tetramethyl-1,2,8,9,1 lbpentahydrophenanthro[3,2-b]furan-6(2H)-one by spectroscopic methods and X-ray analysis. The diterpene was strongly fungitoxic to spores of Cladosporium cucumerinum.

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