Sesquiterpene lactones from Smyrnium olusatrum.

Fruits of Smyrnium olusatrum afforded three sesquiterpene lactones, namely, 1beta,8beta-dihydroxyeudesman-3,7(11)-dien-8alpha,12-olide, 1beta,8beta-dihydroxyeudesman-4(15),7(11)-dien-8alpha,l2-olide, and 1beta,10alpha,4alpha,5beta-diepoxy-6beta-hydroxyglechoman-8alpha,12-olide. Four related known sesquiterpenes were also isolated and characterized. The structure elucidation of the isolated compounds was based primarily on 1D and 2D NMR analyses. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the extract and isolated compounds against P-388 mouse lymphoma cells will be also discussed.