Six oleanane-type saponins, along with two known triterpene saponins, were isolated from the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre. The structures of the oleanane triterpene glycosides were characterized as longispinogenin 3-O-b-D-glucuronopyranoside, 21b-benzoylsitakisogenin 3-O-b-D-glucuronopyranoside, 3-O-b-D-glucopyranosyl(146)-b-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-b-D- glucopyranosyl ester, oleanolic acid 3-O-b-D-xylopyranosyl(146)-b-D-glucopyranosyl(146)-b-D-glucopyranoside, 3-O-b-D- xylopyranosyl(146)-b-D-glucopyranosyl(146)-b-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-b-D-glucopyranosyl ester and 3-O-b-D- glucopyranosyl(146)-b-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-b-D-glucopyranosyl(146)-b-D-glucopyranosyl ester on the basis of hydrolysis and spectral evidence, including 1D- and 2D-NMR (TOCSY, ROESY, HMQC and HMBC) and FABMS analyses. 72000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.