Taraxer-14-en-3beta-ol, an anti-inflammatory compound from Sterculia foetida L

Taraxer-14-en-3beta-ol ( 1) was shown to be the active ingredient in the leaves of Sterculia foetida L. The alcohol 1, its acetate and ketone showed anti-inflammatory activity against TPA induced mouse ear oedema with inhibition ratios of 60.0, 58.57 and 40.57 at 0.5 mg/ear, respectively. The percentage inhibition of inflammation increased with dose for each compound.