Isoalantolactone, one of the major sesquiterpene lactone compounds, is isolated from the roots of Anula helenium and possesses multiple biological activities including antifungal, anthelmintic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antitrypanosomal activities and antiproliferative effects on several cancer cell lines, such as colon, melanoma, ovary, prostate, lung, and leukemia. Isoalantolactone is an apoptosis inducer, which also acts as an alkylating agent.