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Abstract
Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are plant-derived compounds often used in traditional
medicine against inflammation and cancer. This review focuses on the chemical and
biological properties of SLs that lead to enhanced anticancer and anti-inflammatory
effects. The chemical properties comprise alkylating center reactivity, lipophilicity,
and molecular geometry and electronic features. SLs in clinical trials are artemisinin,
thapsigargin and parthenolide and many of their synthetic derivatives. These drugs
are selective toward tumor and cancer stem cells by targeting specific signaling pathways,
which make them lead compounds in cancer clinical trials.