  Sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) are a prominent group of plant secondary
metabolites predominantly found in the Asteraceae family and have multiple
ecological roles and medicinal applications. This review describes the
ecological significance of STLs, highlighting their roles in plant defense
mechanisms against herbivory and as phytotoxins, alongside their function as
environmental signaling molecules. We also cover the substantial role of STLs
in medicine and their mode of action in health and disease. We discuss the
biosynthetic pathways and the various modifications that make STLs one of the
most diverse groups of metabolites. Finally, we discuss methods in identifying
and predicting STL biosynthesis pathways.
