Abstract: The volatile oils of Anaphalis sinica Hance and Anaphalis aureopunctata var. plantaginifolia Chen were extracted by steam distillation and the volatile constituents of essential oils were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with retention index comparison.The antitumor activities of the oils were evaluated by using MTT assay.Forty-four compounds from A. sinica were identified and the main components of the volatile oil were α-humulene (1480%), α-pinene (10.56%), δ-cadinene (5.84%),etc.Forty-six compounds from A. aureopunctata var. plantaginifolia were identified and the main components were (E)-caryophyllene (20.71%),α-humulene (8.56%),cis-β-guaiene (7.27%),etc.The essential oils of A.s inica and A. aureopunctata var. plantaginifolia exhibited significant cytotoxicity against A549,Hela,HepG2,HTC-116 cell lines and HTC-116 cell line was the most sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of both essential oils (IC₅₀ values of 48.91 and 35.52 μg/mL,respectively).The essential oils of A. sinica and A. aureopunctata var. plantaginifolia contained various antitumor constituents and showed significant antitumor activities.The results of this study provided scientific reference for further utilization of both A. sinica and A. aureopunctata var. plantaginifolia.

Key words: Anaphalis sinica Hance, Anaphalis aureopunctata var. plantaginifolia Chen, volatile oils, chemical composition, antitumor activity