Verbascoside and rutin possess anti-cancer properties and are capable of repairing DNA damaged by oxygen radicals, acting as powerful antioxidants. Based on kinetic measurements and experiments on tumor cells, docking studies of the two ligand molecules with the receptor telomeric DNA fragments have been carried out. The docking calculations performed using JUMNA software showed that the both molecules can be docked into the minor groove of telomeric DNA and form complexes with suitable geometry for electron transfer between guanine radicaland ligands. The reaction mechanism via the electron transfer process is further confirmed through energy calculations for transition states using MOPAC 93 program. Complexes can be formed without major distortion of DNA structure and are further stabilized by the interaction of DNA with the saccharide side-groups. By comparing their energies, the difference of activities of the two compounds can be explained.

Two new acetylxylosides, ent-manool-13-O-β-D-2'-acetylxylopyranoside (1) and entmanool 13-O-β-D-2', 4'-diacetylxylopyranoside (2) were isolated from Aster veitchianus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

A new stigmasterol 3β, 7α, 22-trihydoxystigmast-5-ene (1) and a new eremophilenolide 8α-methoxy-6β-angeloyloxyeremophil-7(11)-en-8β, 12-olide-14-oic acid (2) were isolated from Ligularia dolichobotrys Diels. Their structures were deduced on the basis of spectral data.

From the roots of Ligularia muliensis, a novel bieremophilanolide and a new eremophilanolide have been isolated and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques, including HRMS, IR, UV, 1D-NMR, 2D-NMR, and CD spectra.

Four new eremophilenolides, 1-4, have been isolated from the whole plant of Ligulariopsis shichuana. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR experiments. Structures of compounds 1 and 2 were unequivocally established by X-ray diffraction experiments. All of these sesquiterpenes have eremophilane skeletons with 7(11)-en-8(12) lactone units. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate antibacterial activities against E. coli and B. subtilis.