Four new compounds named hemoside A, B, C and D were isolated from the roots of Metaplexis hemsleyana Oliv. (Asclepiadaceae). Their chemical structures were determined as 12, 20-dibenzoylsarcostin 3-O-β-D-cymaropyranoside (1), 12, 20-dibenzoylsarcostin 3-O-β-D-thevetopyranosyl (1→4)-β -D-oleandropyranosyl (1→4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside (2), 12-acetyl-20-benzoylsarcostin 3-O-β-D-thevetopyranosyl (1→4)-β-D-oleandropyranosyl (1→4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside (3) and gymnemarsgenin 3-O-β-D-thevetopyranosyl (1→4)-β -D-oleandropyranosyl (1→4)-β-D-cymaropyranoside (4) respectively by means of NMR and other spectral and chemical methods.

Key words: CHEMICAL COMPOSITION, STEROIDS, GLYCOSIDE, PYRANE P