From the methanolic extract of the dried roots of Saussurea lappa Clarke, Saussureae Radix, five amino acid-sesquiterpene conjugates, saussureamines A, B, C, D and E, were isolated together with a lignan glycoside, (-)-massoniresinol 4 "-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Their stereostructures were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. In addition, saussureamines and the related amino acid-sesquiterpene conjugates were synthesized using a Michael type addition reaction of amino acid to the alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone moiety of sesquiterpenes. Saussureamines A, B and C, costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone showed a gastroprotective effect on acidified ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats. Saussureamines A also exhibited an inhibitory effect on gastric mucosal lesions induced by water-immersion stress in mice. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.