Two new sesquiterpenoids, 4,5-epoxy-13-methoxy-1(10)-germacren-12,6-olide and 4,5-epoxy-13-acetoxy-1(10)-germacren-12,6-olide, were isolated from the leaves of Magnolia grandiflora, together with six known compounds, 2alpha-hydroxy-dihydroparthenolide, parthenolide, costunolide, syringaresinol, (+)
Sesquiterpene lactones possess a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory activity. Two plants native to the southeastern United States, Magnolia grandiflora (L.) and Smallanthus uvedalius (L.) [syn Polymnia uvedalius (L.)], are novel sources of the sesquiterpene lactones