Triterpenoids, essential oil and photo-oxidative 28 --> 13-lactonization of oleanolic acid from Lantana camara.

Two novel triterpenoids have been isolated from the roots of Lantana camara L.: 3beta,19alpha dihydroxy ursan-28-oic acid and 21,22beta-epoxy-3beta-hydroxy olean-12-en-28-oic acid in its methyl ester form. Its leaves have yielded an essential oil which is rich in sesquiterpenes. Oleanolic acid, which is thought to be a hepatoprotective compound, was isolated from L. camara roots and converted into its 28 --> 13beta lactone by a facile photo-oxidation reaction.