Taraxasteryl acetate was identified as the major triterpenoid of the root bark of Scolymus hispanicus L. Antispasmodic. Taraxasterol acetate exhibits antiinflammatory activity. In mice ear edema (induced by phorbol-12-mirystate-13-acetate, croton oil, and arachidonic acid), taraxasteryl acetate showed a topical anti-inflammatory activity. Furthermore, it was found that taraxasteryl acetate has potent preventive activity against acute hepatic failure induced by P. acnes and LPS in a dose-dependent manner. There are also reports of a secondary effect of taraxasteryl acetate on the heat shock protein response.