Recent Studies on the Zoopharmacognosy, Pharmacology and Neurotoxicology of Sesquiterpene Lactones*

Aspects of recent research on the biological activities of sesquiterpene lactones (SQLs) are presented. Several SQLs have been identified as important constituents of plants consumed by animals for presumed medicinal value and is a focus of research in zoopharmacognosy. Recent in vivo antitumor studies with parthenin and eupatoriopicrin are discussed as well as the reports of the antiulcer activity of dehydroleucodin. Helenalin has recently been reported to have cardiotonic activity. Research on the neurotoxicity of repin, a compound reported to cause a Parkinson's-like disease in horses, is also highlighted. key words Sesquiterpene lactones - zoopharmacognosy - neurotoxins - antiulcer - antitumor - cardiotonic - eupatoriopierin - dehydroleucodin - parthenin - repin