RESUMO
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of the essential substance from the root of Gerbera piloselloides and its antitussive and de-sputum effects.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The essential substance (G4) was extracted from the root by alcohol and ethyl acetate, then it was separated by silica gel column eluted by the mixture of ethyl acetate and petroleum ether (5:95). Its chemical components were separated and identified by GC-MS. Its antitussive and de-sputum effect was tested by mice.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>4 main peaks were separated and identified by GS-MS. They are beta-caryophyllene (15.160%), caryophyllene oxide (21.140%), aristolenepoxide (2.673%) and 6-acetyl-2,2-dimethyl-8(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2H-chromoene (60.077%) respectively. Its antitussive and de-sputum effect was prominent when the mice was given G4 2,000 mg.kg-1 ig.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Itis the first time that the antitussive and de-sputum essential substance was separated from the root of Gerbera piloselloides and its main compositions were analyzed.</p>