VARIABILITY OF SESQUITERPENE LACTONES IN NEUROLAENA-LOBATA OF DIFFERENT ORIGIN

Leaves of Neurolaena lobata (L.) R. Br. originating from Guatemala, we re analyzed using HPLC for their qualitative and quantitative sesquite rpene lactone contents, Significant differences in the individual amou nts of neurolenins and furanoheliangolides were found between four nat ural populations. When plants were cultivated on proving fields at two different localities in Guatemala, their sesquiterpene lactone patter ns matched the natural population, but differed quantitatively. The me aning of these differences for the use of N. lobata in traditional med icine and its cultivation is discussed.