Volvalerenol A (1), an unprecedented type of triterpenoid with a 7/12/7 tricyclic ring system, was obtained from the ethanol extracts of the roots of Valeriana hardwickii. The structure and relative configurations were established by comprehensive analysis of MS and NMR spectroscopic data. The possible biogenetic pathway of 1 was also deduced.

Nardokanshone A (1), a new type of sesquieterpenoid–chalcone hybird, with a 2,3-dihydrofuran ring fusing an aristolane-type sesquiterpenoid and a chalcone, along with its possible bioprecursor, kanshone C (2), together with four known flavones were isolated from Nardostachys chinensis. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and the absolute configuration of 1 was determined by quantum chemical DFT calculations. The possible biosynthetic pathway of 1 was also proposed.