New sesquiterpenes from Neurolaena lobata

The Maya ethnopharmacological plant Neurolaena lobata (L.) R.Br. ex Cass (Asteraceae) has been widely applied in traditional medicine in Central and South America for the treatment of different types of cancer, ulcers, inflammatory skin disorders and diabetes. The main constituents of the plant were identified as sesquiterpene lactones, which are responsible for its different pharmacological effects. Our previous studies revealed the presence of 13 sesquiterpenes of the germacranolide, eudesmanolide, eudesmane and furanoheliangolide types and some of them were reported as active compounds against cancer and inflammation in vitro and in vivo. In continuation of our studies on this field, the aim of the present work was the isolation and identification of new bioactive sesquiterpenes from N. lobata.