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Review
. 2025 May;22(5):e202401798.
doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202401798. Epub 2025 Jan 24.

Synthetic and Pharmacological Activities of Alantolactone and Its Derivatives

Jianjun Zhao  1 , Kai Zhu  1 , Na Li  1 , Lin Xing  1 , Ruilong Sheng  2 , Yong Shen  3 , Ruihua Guo  1   4   5
Affiliations
Review

Synthetic and Pharmacological Activities of Alantolactone and Its Derivatives

Jianjun Zhao et al. Chem Biodivers. 2025 May.

Abstract

Alantolactone, a sesquiterpene lactone, is isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Inula helenium L. (Asteraceae). Alantolactone is known as its wide spectrum of biological effects, including antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and anthelmintic activities; anti-inflammatory activities; and antiproliferative effects on several cancer cell lines. Thus, it has received extensive attention, causing in-depth research in medicinal chemistry, and numerous undescribed alantolactone derivatives have been synthesized through different strategies. Herein, recent advances in diverse bioactivities and mechanism of alantolactone, including its derivatives, were summarized.

Keywords: activities; alantolactone; derivatives; mechanism; structure–activity relationship.

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