Some naturally occurring pseudoguaianolides and germacranolides as well as synthetic related compounds were observed to be antihyperlipidemic agents in mice. Several of these compounds at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day resulted in lowering of serum cholesterol by approximately 30% and of serum triglycerides by approximately 25%. Thiol-bearing enzymes of lipid synthesis, i.e., acetyl-CoA, citrate-lyase, acetyl-CoA synthetase, and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, were inhibited by these agents in vitro, supporting the premise that these agents alkylate thiol nucleophiles by a Michael-type addition. The alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone moiety, the beta-unsubstituted cyclopentenone ring, and the alpha-epoxycyclopentanone system of these compounds appeared to be responsible for the lowering of serum lipids.