Three new eudesmane sesquiterpenes, teucdiol A, teucdiol B and teucrenone, have been isolated from the acrial parts of Teucrium heterophyllum. The structure of teucdiol A has been determined by X-ray analysis. Molecules of teucdiol A and water are linked by hydrogen bond chains. These chains have a core of water molecules surrounded by a hydrophobic spiral of hydroxyl groups of teucdiol A molecules.

We thank Prof. P. Pérez de Paz (Department of Botany, University of La Laguna) for collecting and classifying the plant material, and the DGICYT (Madrid) for financial support.

Peer reviewed