Chemical constituents of the roots of Inula helenium

L. (Compositae) is widely distributed in the north of China. Its roots have been used to treat pain ofupper body, emesia, and diarrhea, and kill parasite in traditional Chinese medicine [1]. Moreover, in some Europeanpharmacopoeias, the roots are officially listed as a diuretic, diaphoretic, expectorant, and anthelmintic [2]. Some studies onthis plant show that it has some bioactivities [3]. Recently, our research showed that the chloroform fraction of the 95%ethanol extract of roots of the plant exhibited significant cytotoxicity activity