It is used in medicine as a remedy for malaria, having marked anti-periodic properties.
Glycyphyllin, C21H24O9, found in leaves of Smilax, yields rhamnose and phloretin, when hydrolyzed.
Iridin, C24H26O13 (glucose and irigenin), found in rootstocks of Iris, is used in medicine as a cathartic and diuretic.
Baptisin, C26H32O14·9H2O (two rhamnose and baptigenin), found in roots of wild indigo (Baptisia), has strong purgative properties.
Hesperidin, C50H60O27 (one rhamnose + two glucose + hesperitin), is found in the pulp of lemons and oranges.
The characteristic phenol group which is present in these glucosides has the following structural formula, in each case, the X indicating the H atom which is replaced by the sugar molecule to form the glucoside:
