From the aerial parts of A. fragrantissima, a santoline aldehyde and two highly oxygenated santoline derivatives were isolated in addition to several known compounds. The structures were elucidated by high field 'H NMR spectroscopy. Three sesquiterpene lactones were isolated from the aerial parts of Centaurea sinaica: amberboin, chlorohyssopifolin A and sinaicin. The latter is reported for the first time.