Synthesis of OSW saponin analogs with modified sugar residues and their antiproliferative activities

Eight monosaccharide analogs of the potent antitumor OSW saponins (2–9) were synthesized. One analog, 2-O-acetyl-α-l-arabinopyranoside 3, showed antiproliferative activity against the Jurkat cells (IC50 = 0.078 μM) comparable to that of the disaccharide derivative (1).