Chemical investigation on the stems of Schisandra sphenanthera has afforded a novel eudesmene-type sesquiterpenoid, schisansphene A (1), and a known compound, alismol (2). Their structures and configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D NMR techniques.The family Schisandraceae has been proved to be a rich source of dibenzocyclooctane lignans, as well as lanostane and cycloartane triterpenes, some of which have been found to possess calcium antagonism, anti-lipid peroxidation, antitumor, anti-HIV and anti-HBV effects [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. In our previous study, three carotane-type sesquiterpenoids, schisanwilsonenes A-C, were obtained from S. wilsoniana, and schisanwilsonene A was found to show an active effect against HBV [9]. Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils. is a medicinal plant indigenous to southern China. Its fruits are used in Chinese folk medicine as "wu-wei-zi" to treat hepatitis.In a systemic phytochemical investigation, a new eudesmene-type sesquiterpenoid, schisansphene A (1), and a known guainane-type sesquiterpenoid, alismol (2) [10], were isolated from the stems of S. sphenanthera. This is the first report of eudesmene and guainane sesquiterpenoids from the Schisandraceae. In this paper, we describe the isolation and structure of the new compound.Compound 1, a white powder, had the molecular formula C 15 H 24 O 3 on the basis of HR-ESI-MS (m/z 275.1621 [M + Na] + ), which indicated four degrees of unsaturation. The IR absorption band at 3414 cm -1 implied the presence of the OH group. The 1 H NMR spectrum showed signals corresponding to an oxygenated methine proton [G 4.82 (1H, m)], an olefinic proton [6.36 (1H, s)], a secondary methyl [1.23 (3H, d, J = 7.2 Hz)], and three tertiary methyls [0.98, 1.37, and 1.51 (each 3H, s)]. The 13 C NMR displayed 15 carbon resonances, and the DEPT spectrum was consistent with the presence of a methine [G 71.0 (d)], a quaternary carbon [82.7 (s)] bearing a peroxide ring, a quaternary carbon [81.8 (s)] bearing a hydroxyl, and trisubstituted olefinic carbons [128.0 (d) and 146.2 (s)], as well as four methyls, four methylenes, three methines, and four quaternary carbons.