Biologically active sesquiterpene coumarins from Ferula species

Self-Assembled Multilayer-Modified Needles Simulate Acupuncture and Diclofenac Sodium Delivery for Rheumatoid Arthritis

A novel therapeutic approach combining acupuncture and diclofenac sodium (DS) administration was established for the potential treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). DS is a commonly used anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug but has short duration and adverse effects. Acupoints are critical linkages in the meridian system and are potential candidates for drug delivery. Herein, we fabricated a DS-loaded multilayer-modified acupuncture needle (DS-MMAN) and investigated its capacity for inhibiting RA. This DS-MMAN possesses sustained release properties and in vitro anti-inflammatory effects. Experimental results showed that the DS-MMAN with microdoses can enhance analgesia and efficiently relieve joint swelling compared to the oral or intra-articular administration of DS with gram-level doses. Moreover, the combination of acupoint and DS exerts a synergistic improvement in inflammation and joint damage. Cytokine and T cell analyses in the serum indicated that the application of DS-MMAN suppressed the levels of pro-inflammatory factors and increased the levels of anti-inflammatory factors. Furthermore, the acupoint administration via DS-MMAN could decrease the accumulation of DS in the liver and kidneys, which may express better therapeutic efficiency and low toxicity. The present study demonstrated that the acupuncture needle has the potential to build a bridge between acupuncture and medication, which would be a promising alternative to the combination of traditional and modern medicine.

Proteomic and metabolomic insights into seed germination of Ferula assa-foetida

Cold stratification is known to affect the speed of seed germination; however, its regulation at the molecular level in Ferula assa-foetida remains ambiguous. Here, we used cold stratification (4 °C in the dark) to induce germination in F. assa-foetida and adopted a proteomic and metabolomic approach to understand the molecular mechanism of germination. Compared to the control, we identified 209 non-redundant proteins and 96 metabolites in germinated F. assa-foetida seed. Results highlight the common and unique regulatory mechanisms like signaling cascade, reactivation of energy metabolism, activation of ROS scavenging system, DNA repair, gene expression cascade, cytoskeleton, and cell wall modulation in F. assa-foetida germination. A protein-protein interaction network identifies 18 hub protein species central to the interactome and could be a key player in F. assa-foetida germination. Further, the predominant metabolic pathways like glucosinolate biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, and carotenoid biosynthesis in germinating seed may indicate the regulation of carbon and nitrogen metabolism is prime essential to maintain the physiology of germinating seedlings. The findings of this study provide a better understanding of cold stratification-induced seed germination, which might be utilized for genetic modification and traditional breeding of Ferula assa-foetida. SIGNIFICANCE: Seed germination is the fundamental checkpoint for plant growth and development, which has ecological significance. Ferula assa-foetida L., commonly known as "asafoetida," is a medicinal and food crop with huge therapeutic potential. To date, our understanding of F. assa-foetida seed germination is rudimentary. Therefore, studying the molecular mechanism that governs dormancy decay and the onset of germination in F. assa-foetida is essential for understanding the basic principle of seed germination, which could offer to improve genetic modification and traditional breeding.

Terpenes and Terpenoids Conjugated with BODIPYs: An Overview of Biological and Chemical Properties

Advancements in small-molecule research have created the need for sensitive techniques to accurately study biological processes in living systems. Fluorescent-labeled probes have become indispensable tools, particularly those that use boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) dyes. Terpenes and terpenoids are organic compounds found in nature that offer diverse biological activities, and BODIPY-based probes play a crucial role in studying these compounds. Monoterpene-BODIPY conjugates have exhibited potential for staining bacterial and fungal cells. Sesquiterpene-BODIPY derivatives have been used to study sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA), indicating their potential for drug development. Owing to their unique properties, diterpenes have been investigated using BODIPY conjugates to evaluate their mechanisms of action. Triterpene-BODIPY conjugates have been synthesized for biological studies, with different spacers affecting their cytotoxicity. Fluorescent probes, inspired by terpenoid-containing vitamins, have also been developed. Derivatives of tocopherol, coenzyme Q10, and vitamin K1 can provide insights into their oxidation-reduction abilities. All these probes have diverse applications, including the study of cell membranes to investigate immune responses and antioxidant properties. Further research in this field can help better understand and use terpenes and terpenoids in various biological contexts.

A Comprehensive Review of the Pharmacological Effects of Genus Ferula on Central Nervous System Disorders

BACKGROUND

Plants of the genus Ferula have long been used to treat neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), pain, depression, and seizures. The main compounds include coumarins, monoterpenes, sulfide compounds, and polyphenol compounds, which can improve the functioning of the nervous system.

OBJECTIVE

This article has been compiled with the aim of collecting evidence and articles related to the Ferula effects on central nervous system disease.

METHODS

This review article was prepared by searching the terms Ferula and analgesic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anti-multiple sclerosis, anti-dementia, and neuroprotective effects.The relevant information was collected through searching electronic databases such as ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and Google Scholar.

RESULTS

Genus Ferula has a protective effect on nerve cells by reducing cytokines such as IL-6, IL- 1b, and TNF-α. Therefore, the effects of Ferula plants and their effective ingredients can be used to prevent or improve diseases that destroy the nervous system. The members of this genus play a role in strengthening and improving the antioxidant system, reducing the level of oxidative stress, and inhibiting or reducing inflammatory factors in the nervous system.

CONCLUSION

Although the effects of several species of Ferula on the nervous system have been investigated, most studies have not clearly identified the molecular mechanisms as well as the specific functional regions of the brain. The present study was compiled in order to investigate different aspects of the effects of Ferula plants on the central nervous system.

Identification of the therapeutic mechanism of the saffron crocus on glioma through network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis

Saffron crocus is a herbal medicine of traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM). Saffron extract has been indicated to inhibit tumor cell growth and promote tumor cell apoptosis in a variety of cancers, including glioma, but the specific mechanism is not clear. To study the possible mechanism of saffron action on glioma, network pharmacology and bioinformatics analysis methods were used in this study. We used the online database to obtain the active ingredients of saffron and their targets. Glioma-related targets were also acquired from online database. We intersected drug targets with glioma-related targets and conducted PPI network analysis to obtain network core genes. Then, we obtained RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database for glioma patients. Through different expression analysis and lasso regression, further screening of core genes in the network was conducted, and a prognostic model was established. The sample was divided into two groups with high and low risk using this model. The RNA-seq data from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA) database were used to further validate our prediction model. Then, we explored the difference in pathways enrichment between high-risk patients and low-risk patients and calculated the difference in immune microenvironment between the two groups. Finally, we used scRNA-seq data in the CGGA database to analyze the cell types in which the model gene is mainly enriched and predicted the cell types which saffron effected on.

Novel Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene Coumarin Ethers and Sulfur-Containing Compounds from the Roots of Ferula turcica

Six new sesquiterpene coumarin ethers, namely turcicanol A (1), turcicanol A acetate (2), turcicanol B (3), turcica ketone (4), 11'-dehydrokaratavicinol (5), and galbanaldehyde (6), and one new sulfur-containing compound, namely turcicasulphide (7), along with thirty-two known secondary metabolites were isolated from the root of the endemic species Ferula turcica Akalın, Miski, & Tuncay through a bioassay-guided isolation approach. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with the literature. Cell growth inhibition of colon cancer cell lines (COLO205 and HCT116) and kidney cancer cell lines (UO31 and A498) was used to guide isolation. Seventeen of the compounds showed significant activity against the cell lines.

Chemistry, Bioactivity, and Prediction of the Quality Marker (Q-Marker) of Ferula Plants in China: A Review

The genus of Ferula belongs to the family Apiaceae, and many Ferula plants are used as traditional Chinese medicines. Ferula plants were initially identified as early as the "Newly Revised Materia Medica" written in the Tang Dynasty (AD 659), and several of them are also recognized as the traditional medicines of the Uygur, Kazakh, and Mongolian. Ferula plants are distributed in China, Russia, India, Africa, Central Asia, and other places. Currently, the chemical components derived from Ferula plants are mainly coumarins, sesquiterpenes, and volatile oils. Ferula plants can exhibit diverse pharmacological activities such as anti-allergy, analgesia, relieving cough, anticoagulation, and anti-tumor. Therefore, this article summarized the domestic research conducted on the genus Ferula, appropriately combines the research status of the foreign genus Ferula, and describes the chemical composition, biological activity, toxicity issues, and Q-marker prediction. In addition, all the related studies about the genus Ferula are summarized by analyzing the various databases such as CNKI, Wanfang data, PubChem and SciFinder.

Samarcandin protects against testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats via activation of Nrf2/HO-1-mediated antioxidant responses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of samarcandin (SMR) in preventing testicular injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups at random: the sham group, the T/D control group (CONT), the T/D group receiving SMR treatment at 10 mg/kg (SMR-10), and the T/D group receiving SMR treatment at 20 mg/kg (SMR-20). When compared to the CONT group, SMR improved the oxidant/antioxidant balance by reducing malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NOx), and increasing reduced glutathione (GSH), gluta-thione peroxide (GSH-Px), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Moreover, SMR increased the levels of the steroid hormones' testosterone (TST), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the blood as well as controlled the inflammatory mediators; interleukin-6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Nevertheless, SMR-treated animals showed a considerable downregulation of the apoptotic marker caspase-3. The T/D-induced histopathological changes were reduced and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) protein expression was enhanced by SMR. These effects are associated with upregulation of testicular (Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and downregulation of NF-κB mRNA expression levels. These findings suggest that SMR may be able to prevent T/D-induced testis damage by mainly regulating the expression of Nrf2 and NF-B, which seems to mediate its promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects seen in this study.

Undescribed sesquiterpene coumarins from the aerial parts of Ferula sinkiangensis and their anti-inflammatory activities in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages

Eight undescribed sesquiterpene coumarins (1-8) and twenty known ones (9-28), were isolated from the aerial parts of Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen. Their structures were elucidated based on the comprehensive analysis of UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D, and 2D NMR data. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by single crystal X-Ray diffraction, while the absolute configurations of 2-8 were determined by comparisons of experimental and calculated electrostatic circular dichroism spectra. Compound 2 is the first hydroperoxy sesquiterpene coumarin from the genus Ferula, while compound 8 has an unusual 5',8'-peroxo bridge. Griess reaction results indicated compound 18 significantly decreased nitric oxide production of the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages with an IC₅₀ value of 2.3 μM, and ELISA results revealed that compound 18 effectively inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 expressions.

Investigation of composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic characteristics from Juniperus sabina and Ferula communis extracts

Plants have been one the most valuable sources of biologically active compounds. This study investigates the chemical composition, as well as the antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities of methanolic and ethanolic extracts from Juniperus sabina and Ferula communis leaves, grown in Cyprus. Total phenolic and flavonoids content of methanol and ethanol extracts were quantified. Chemical constituents of the leaf extracts were analysed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Mome inositol was the predominant component in the J. Sabina's extracts. The most dominant component in F. communis ethanolic extract was phytol, while in FCL methanolic extract 1,3,4,5 tetrahydroxycyclohexanecarboxylic acid. Antioxidant activities were evaluated by 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging ability. Antioxidant activity results revealed concentration dependent activity for methanolic and ethanolic extracts from the plant leaves. Antibacterial activity of plant extracts was tested against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria using disk diffusion and minimal inhibitory concentration methods. Cytotoxic activity of plant extracts were evaluated on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, where they demonstrated their potential on the viability of both cell lines. The biological activity revealed by plants is due to the bioactive compounds found in the extracts. These bioactive components could be used as anticancer drug candidates.

Anticancer potential of Ferula assa-foetida and its constituents, a powerful plant for cancer therapy

Cancer is one of the main challenges of the health system around the world. This disease is increasing in developing countries and imposes heavy costs on patients and governments. On the other hand, despite various drugs, the death rate among cancer patients is still high and the current treatments have many harmful effects. In the traditional medicine of different countries, there are many medicinal plants that can be effective in the treatment of cancer. Ferula plants are traditionally used as spices and food or for medicinal purposes. Ferula assa-foetida is one of the famous plants of this genus, which has been used for the treatment of various diseases since ancient times. Among the main compounds of this plant, we can mention monoterpenes, sulfide compounds and polyphenols, which can show different therapeutic effects. This article has been compiled with the aim of collecting evidence and articles related to the anti-cancer effects of extracts, derived compounds, essential oils and nanoparticles containing Ferula assa-foetida. This review article was prepared by searching the terms Ferula assa-foetida and cancer, and relevant information was collected through searching electronic databases such as ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Fortunately, the results of this review showed that relatively comprehensive studies have been conducted in this field and shown that Ferula assa-foetida can be very promising in the treatment of cancer.

Ferula sinkiangensis (Chou-AWei, Chinese Ferula): Traditional Uses, Phytoconstituents, Biosynthesis, and Pharmacological Activities

Ferula is the third largest genus of the Apiaceae family, its species are utilized as a remedy for diverse ailments all over the world. F. sinkiangensis K. M. Shen (Chou-AWei, Chinese Ferula) is mainly found in Xin-jiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. Traditionally, it is utilized for treating various illnesses such as digestive disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, wound infection, baldness, bronchitis, ovarian cysts, intestinal worms, diarrhea, malaria, abdominal mass, cold, measles, and bronchitis. It can produce different classes of metabolites such as sesquiterpene coumarins, steroidal esters, lignans, phenylpropanoids, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenes, coumarins, organic acid glycosides, and sulfur-containing compounds with prominent bioactivities. The objective of this work is to point out the reported data on F. sinkiangensis, including traditional uses, phytoconstituents, biosynthesis, and bioactivities. In the current work, 194 metabolites were reported from F. sinkiangensis in the period from 1987 to the end of 2022. Nevertheless, future work should be directed to conduct in vivo, mechanistic, and clinical assessments of this plant`s metabolites to confirm its safe usage.

Therapeutic effect of Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum resin in rats with letrozole-induced polycystic ovary syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Asafoetida is a gum derived from Ferula assa-foetida, which is used in traditional Iranian medicine to treat some reproductive system disorders. The effects of asafoetida on ovarian tissue, expression of certain genes associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and levels of liver, kidney, and blood cell factors after treatment in a rat model were investigated.

METHODS

Thirty rats were divided into five groups: normal, polycystic, and treatment with three doses of asafoetida (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg for 3 weeks after PCOS induction). PCOS was induced by letrozole at a dose of 1 mg/kg administered orally for 3 weeks. Blood samples were taken, and the ovaries were removed and prepared for histomorphometric examination. Liver and kidney parameters were measured. The mRNA expression levels of luteinizing hormone receptor, CYP11A1, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, adiponectin, and adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 were also measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The levels of liver, kidney, and blood parameters did not significantly differ between the treatment groups and the control group. At doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg, ovarian histopathology, especially the thicknesses of the theca and granulosa layers, was significantly improved relative to the PCOS group. The expression of target genes also improved in the 25 and 50 mg/kg treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

Asafoetida can be used to treat PCOS as a complementary approach to conventional therapies. Asafoetida appears to act by regulating and activating metabolic and ovarian cycle enzymes.

Analysis of complete chloroplast genome sequences and insight into the phylogenetic relationships of Ferula L

Background

Ferula L. is one of the largest and most taxonomically complicated genera as well as being an important medicinal plant resource in the family Apiaceae. To investigate the plastome features and phylogenetic relationships of Ferula and its neighboring genera Soranthus Ledeb., Schumannia Kuntze., and Talassia Korovin, we sequenced 14 complete plastomes of 12 species. 

Results

The size of the 14 complete chloroplast genomes ranged from 165,607 to 167,013 base pairs (bp) encoding 132 distinct genes (87 protein-coding, 37 tRNA, and 8 rRNA genes), and showed a typical quadripartite structure with a pair of inverted repeats (IR) regions. Based on comparative analysis, we found that the 14 plastomes were similar in codon usage, repeat sequence, simple sequence repeats (SSRs), and IR borders, and had significant collinearity. Based on our phylogenetic analyses, Soranthus, Schumannia, and Talassia should be considered synonymous with Ferula. Six highly divergent regions (rps16/trnQ-UUG, trnS-UGA/psbZ, psbH/petB, ycf1/ndhF, rpl32, and ycf1) were also detected, which may represent potential molecular markers, and combined with selective pressure analysis, the weak positive selection gene ccsA may be a discriminating DNA barcode for Ferula species.

Conclusion

Plastids contain abundant informative sites for resolving phylogenetic relationships. Combined with previous studies, we suggest that there is still much room for improvement in the classification of Ferula. Overall, our study provides new insights into the plastome evolution, phylogeny, and taxonomy of this genus.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08868-z.

Spasmolytic, Gastroprotective and Antioxidant Activities of Dry Methanol Extract of Ferula heuffelii Underground Parts

Dry MeOH extract of Ferula heuffelii (Apiaceae) underground parts was tested for spasmolytic, gastroprotective and antioxidant activities. HPLC analysis revealed that chlorogenic acid (CGA; 34.6 mg/g) was its main constituent. Extract in vitro exhibited notable total antioxidant activity (FRAP value=1.0 μmol Fe²⁺ /mg), and scavenging of DPPH (SC₅₀ =62.5 μg/ml) and ^• OH radicals (49.5 % at 20 μg/ml in 2-deoxyribose assay). In vitro on isolated rat ileum, extract exhibited significant spasmolytic activity, i. e., it showed 124.6 % of maximal atropine effect on spontaneous contractions (at 100 μg/ml), and reduced spasmogenic effect of KCl (80 mm) to 44.4 % (at 60 μg/ml) and of highest applied concentration of ACh to 26.3 % (at 120 μg/ml). In parallel experiments, spasmolytic effect of CGA was also demonstrated. In acute EtOH-induced gastric ulceration model in rats, extract (100 mg/kg p.o.) showed significant gastroprotective effect (gastric damage score 0.50), similar to ranitidine (20 mg/kg p.o.). Obtained results showed that tested F. heuffelii polar extract represents new herbal preparation with potential use against some gastrointestinal complaints.

Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and immunomodulatory activities of the genus Ferula and their constituents: A review

Ferula is a genus of the family Apiaceae and it includes around 170 species of flowering plants mostly native to the Mediterranean region and eastern to central Asia. In Iran, Ferula spp. are widely used in cuisine and traditional medicine. This review discusses the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and immunomodulatory activities of different species of Ferula. To prepare the present review, Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science scientific databases were searched to retrieve relevant articles published from 1985 until December 2020. Based on our literature review, Ferula plants and their derivatives decrease the levels of inflammatory mediators and exert anti-apoptotic effects. Under oxidative stress conditions, these plants and their constituents were shown to decrease oxidative markers such as malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, and nitric oxide but increase superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase activity, and glutathione level. Ferula plants and their constituents also showed immunomodulatory effects by affecting various cytokines. Besides, in vivo and in vitro studies showed hypotensive, neuroprotective, memory-enhancing, anti-oxidant, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic, anticytotoxic, antiobesity, and anthelmintic effects for various species of Ferula and their constituents. These plants also showed a healing effect on gynecological issues such as miscarriage, unusual pain, difficult menstruation, and leukorrhea. All these beneficial effects could have resulted from the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of these plants and their constituents. Based on the available literature, members of the genus Ferula can be regarded as potential therapeutics against inflammatory conditions, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation.

Liquid-Liquid Chromatography Separation of Guaiane-Type Sesquiterpene Lactones from Ferula penninervis Regel & Schmalh. and Evaluation of Their In Vitro Cytotoxic and Melanin Inhibitory Potential

Ferula penninervis Regel & Schmalh. is a perennial plant used in Kazakh traditional folk medicine to treat epilepsy, neurosis, rheumatism, gastroduodenal ulcers, dyspepsia, wounds, abscesses or tumors. The aim of this work was to isolate series of sesquiterpene lactones from a crude methanolic root extract and investigate their in vitro cytotoxic potential against androgen-dependent prostate cancer LNCaP and epithelial prostate PNT2 cells, as well as to evaluate their melanin production inhibitory effects in murine melanoma B16F10 cells stimulated with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (αMSH). Two new (penninervin P and penninervin Q) and five known (olgin, laferin, olgoferin, oferin and daucoguainolactone F) guaiane-type sesquiterpene lactones were isolated with the use of a simple and fast liquid-liquid chromatography method. Olgin and laferin showed the most promising cytotoxic effects in LNCaP cells (IC₅₀ of 31.03 and 23.26 μg/mL, respectively). Additionally, olgin, laferin, olgoferin, and oferin (10 μg/mL) potently impaired melanin release (40.67–65.48% of αMSH + cells) without influencing the viability of B16F10 cells. In summary, our findings might indicate that guaiane-type sesquiterpene lactones from F. penninervis could be regarded as promising candidates for further research in discovering new therapeutic agents with anti-prostate cancer and skin depigmentation properties.

Screening of natural compounds identifies ferutinin as an antibacterial and anti-biofilm compound

Antibacterial screenings are most commonly targeted at planktonic bacteria but less effort is dedicated to the exploration of agents acting on biofilms. Here, a natural compounds library was screened against Staphylococcus aureus using a 384-well plate platform to identify compounds preventing biofilm formation. Five structurally diverse hits were selected for follow-up studies: honokiol, tschimganidin, ferutinin, oridonin and deoxyshikonin. The compounds were evaluated against different bacterial species for their capacity to prevent and disrupt biofilms. The development of resistance and cytotoxicity were also investigated. Ferutinin displayed the best antibacterial activity, with a minimum inhibitory, bactericidal and biofilm preventive concentration of 25 µM against S. aureus. It efficiently disrupted pre-formed biofilms (over 5-log reduction of viable cells) and reduced biofilm formation on a catheter in the presence of neutrophils. This work provides new information on the antibacterial activity of five natural compounds and identified ferutinin as a promising candidate against S. aureus biofilms.

The potential of Apiaceae species as sources of singular phytochemicals and plant-based pesticides

The Apiaceae Lindl. (=Umbelliferae Juss.), which includes several economical important vegetables, herbs, and spices, is one of the most numerous plant family. Umbelliferous crops (namely anise, fennel, carrot, coriander, parsley, etc.) are also valuable sources of botanical flavoring agents and fragrances. In addition, Apiaceae species yield a wide variety of distinctive specialized metabolites (i.e, volatile phenylpropanoids, furanocoumarins, sesquiterpene coumarins, polyacetylenes, and phthalides), some of them been described as uncommon natural phytochemicals exclusive of the family, which offers a great potential for bioprospection. Numerous studies have pointed out the outstanding biological activity of extracts and several classes of phytochemicals from Apiaceae species. Emphasis has been given to essential oils (EOs) and their constituents activities, most likely because this type of plant added value product benefits from a larger acceptance and application potential in integrated pest management (IPM) and integrated vector management (IVM) programs. Several species of the family offer a variety of unique compounds with great potential as biopesticidal and/or synergizing agents. Investigations covering their activity toward agricultural pests and phytopathogens have increased in the last years, nevertheless the interest remains strongly focus on arthropod species, predominantly those acting as vectors of human diseases. From our survey, it is patent the gap of knowledge concerning the potential molluscicidal properties of Apiaceae extracts/phytochemicals, as well as their herbicidal activities against invasive plant species. In this review, we propose to highlight the potential of Apiaceae species as suitable sources of bioactive phytochemicals with great relevance within the frame of plant-based pesticides R&D, and will discuss their applicability in real-world scenarios considering the recent developments regarding the design of stable formulations incorporating Apiaceae bioactive products. We expect that this review will encourage researchers to consider undervalued Apiaceae species as alternative sources of bioactive compounds and will give a contribute to the field by suggesting new research topics.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen, a precious and endangered traditional Chinese medicine

Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen is a valuable traditional Chinese medicine historically used to treat stomachache and rheumatoid arthritis. The chloroplast genome of Ferula genus plant has not been previously reported. This study reported the complete chloroplast genome sequence of F. sinkiangensis based on high-throughput sequencing. The genome was 166,583 bp in length, containing a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,595 bp and a large single-copy (LSC) region of 85,242 bp, separated by two inverted repeats (IRs) of 31,873 bp, each. The genome contained 114 unique genes, including 80 protein-coding genes (PCGs), four rRNA genes, and 30 tRNA genes. In addition, 17 genes contained one or two introns, including nine PCG genes with a single intron, two PCG genes harboring two introns, and six tRNA genes harboring a single intron. In this study, F. sinkiangensis K. M. had the closest genetic relationship with Torilis scabra and clustered with the Umbelliferae family species.

Kellerin from Ferula sinkiangensis exerts neuroprotective effects after focal cerebral ischemia in rats by inhibiting microglia-mediated inflammatory responses

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen is a traditional Chinese medicine that has a variety of pharmacological properties relevant to neurological disorders and inflammations. Kellerin, a novel compound extracted from Ferula sinkiangensis, exerts a strong anti-neuroinflammatory effect by inhibiting microglial activation. Microglial activation plays a vital role in ischemia-induced brain injury. However, the potential therapeutic effect of kellerin on focal cerebral ischemia is still unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To explore the effect of kellerin on cerebral ischemia and clarify its possible mechanisms, we applied the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model and the LPS-activated microglia model in our study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Neurological outcome was examined according to a 4-tiered grading system. Brain infarct size was measured using TTC staining. Brain edema was calculated using the wet weight minus dry weight method. Neuron damage and microglial activation were observed by immunofluorescence in MCAO model in rats. In in vitro studies, microglial activation was examined by flow cytometry and the viability of neuronal cells cultured in microglia-conditioned medium was measured using MTT assay. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by qRT-PCR and ELISA. The proteins involved in NF-κB signaling pathway were determined by western blot. Intracellular ROS was examined using DCFH-DA method and NADPH oxidase activity was measured using the NBT assay.

RESULTS

We found that kellerin improved neurological outcome, reduced brain infarct size and decreased brain edema in MCAO model in rats. Under the pathologic conditions of focal cerebral ischemia, kellerin alleviated neuron damage and inhibited microglial activation. Moreover, in in vitro studies of LPS-stimulated BV2 cells kellerin protected neuronal cells from being damaged by inhibiting microglial activation. Kellerin also reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, suppressed the NF-κB signaling pathway, and decreased ROS generation and NADPH oxidase activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our discoveries reveal that the neuroprotective effects of kellerin may largely depend on its inhibitory effect on microglial activation. This suggests that kellerin could serve as a novel anti-inflammatory agent which may have therapeutic effects in ischemic stroke.

Ferula hermonis: A Review of Current Use and Pharmacological Studies of its Sesquiterpene Ester Ferutinin

Ferula hermonis Boiss, is an endemic plant of Lebanon, locally known as "shilsh Elzallouh". It has been extensively used in the traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac and for the treatment of sexual impotence. Crude extracts and isolated compounds of ferula hermonis contain phytoestrogenic substances having a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological properties including anti-osteoporosis, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-fungal, anti-cancer and as sexual activity enhancer. The aim of this mini-review is to highlight the traditional and novel applications of this plant's extracts and its major sesquiterpene ester, ferutinin. The phytochemical constituents and the pharmacological uses of ferula hermonis crude extract and ferutinin specifically will be discussed.

Ferula L. Plant Extracts and Dose-Dependent Activity of Natural Sesquiterpene Ferutinin: From Antioxidant Potential to Cytotoxic Effects

The employment studies of natural extracts in the prevention and treatment of several diseases highlighted the role of different species of genus Ferula L., belonging to the Apiaceae family, dicotyledonous plants present in many temperate zones of our planet. Ferula communis L. is the main source of sesquiterpene ferutinin, a bioactive compound studied both in vitro and in vivo, because of different effects, such as phytoestrogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, but also antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity, performed in a dose-dependent and cell-dependent way. The present review will focus on the molecular mechanisms involved in the different activities of Ferutinin, starting from its antioxidant potential at low doses until its ionophoric property and the subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction induced through administration of high doses, which represent the key point of its anticancer action. Furthermore, we will summarize the data acquired from some experimental studies on different cell types and on several diseases. The results obtained showed an important antioxidant and phytoestrogenic regulation with lack of typical side effects related to estrogenic therapy. The preferential cell death induction for tumor cell lines suggests that ferutinin may have anti-neoplastic properties, and may be used as an antiproliferative and cytotoxic agent in an estrogen dependent and independent manner. Nevertheless, more data are needed to clearly understand the effect of ferutinin in animals before using it as a phytoestrogen or anticancer drug.

Effects of dietary asafoetida (Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen) levels on feeding attraction activity, growth performance, healthiness, and digestive enzyme activity in juvenile Lateolabrax japonicus

The study was to investigate effects of asafoetida (Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen) powder on feeding attraction activity (FAA), growth performance, healthiness, and digestive enzyme activity of juvenile Lateolabrax japonicus. Six concentration levels (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 g/kg diets) were formulated for luring and feeding experiment. Results showed that asafoetida could stimulate the appetite of L. japonicus at the dietary levels from 10 to 25 g/kg; reduce the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed intake (FI) at 10-20 g/kg; increase the weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) at 5-10 g/kg; increase the hepatosomatic index (HSI), body crude lipid content, serum total protein (TP) content, and lysozyme activity at 10-15 g/kg; decrease the moisture at 10-15 g/kg; and increase the serum total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity at 5-15 g/kg, when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). Digestive enzyme activities including amylase (AMS) and trypsin in the intestine were significantly affected by the asafoetida powder (p < 0.05). Regression analyses between the FAA, FCR, WG, SGR, HSI, LZM, T-SOD, AMS, trypsin, and the dietary asafoetida powder levels showed that the optimal additional amount was 16.95, 13.65, 8.36, 8.15, 15.45, 9.94, 8.75, 11.77, and 7.07 g/kg, respectively, indicating that the optimal amount of asafoetida powder was located in 7.07-16.95 g/kg diet. However, combined with the significant difference analyses obtained from the current study, we would suggest the additive suitable dosage was 10 g/kg.

Carotane sesquiterpenes from Ferula vesceritensis: in silico analysis as SARS-CoV-2 binding inhibitors

Two sesquiterpenes, 8α-anisate-dauc-4-ene-3,9-dione (webiol anisate) (1) and 10α-acetoxy-6α-benzoate-jaeschkeanadiol (2) as well as, ten known analogues (3-10), and two sesquiterpene coumarins (11-12) were isolated from an organic root extract of Ferula vesceritensis (Fam. Apiaceae). Chemical structures were elucidated based on IR, 1D- and 2D-NMR and HRMS, spectroscopic analyses. With molecular overlap observed between two protease inhibitors that are being examined as anti-COVID-19 drugs, and sesquiterpenes isolated here, metabolite molecular docking calculations were made using the main protease (Mpro), which is required for viral multiplication as well as RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). In silico binding-inhibition analysis predicted that select F. vesceritensis sesquiterpenes can bind to these enzymes required for viral replication. Structures of the isolated constituents were also consistent with the chemo-systematic grouping of F. vesceritensis secondary metabolites with other Ferula species.

Pharmacological and Therapeutic Aspects of Plants from the Genus Ferula: A Comprehensive Review

Inspired by nature, humankind has been able to attain significant achievements in the drug and food industries. Particularly, medicinal plants are a rich source of medicinal, cosmetic, sanitary, and aromatic substances. Genus Ferula from the Apiaceae family is a plant genus that possesses over 170 species, which have been carefully documented with regard to their medicinal properties. Ferula spp. affects many body organs, and their respective functions, in humans, such as the immune system, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary, endocrine, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous system, bone (skeleton), and teeth. In spite of the benefits, ferulosis (Ferula toxicity) is an important aspect of Ferula consumption in humans and animals. Hemorrhagic problems and infertility are important signs of ferulosis. In this review, we have described all of the effects of the active ingredients of Ferula spp. and their mechanisms of actions, when known, based on an extensive literature review. Thus, our review opens a window of the benefits of Ferula as a phyto-pharmaceutical and its therapeutic applications in pharmacy, dentistry, and medicine.

Investigating the effect of radiosensitizer for Ursolic Acid and Kamolonol Acetate ‌ on HCT-116 cell line

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was evaluating the cytotoxic and radiosensitizing effects of Ursolic Acid (UA) and Kamolonol Acetate (KA) on HCT116 cell line and finally investigating the functional role of NF-κB and CCND1 genes in the radiosensitizing activity of UA and KA.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

The cytotoxic effects of UA and KA by MTT assay was evaluated on HCT-116. Clonogenic assay was performed to investigate of radiosensitizing effects of UA and KA on HCT116. To assessment the expression levels of NF-κB and CCND1 genes, real-time PCR method was used.

RESULTS

The results of MTT assay revealed that UA and KA have cytotoxic effects on HCT116 cell line. According to clonogenic assay, survival fraction of treated cells with UA and KA has been decreased compared to the survival fraction of untreated cells. UA and KA lead to the decrease in the expression level of NF-κB. Synergistic effect of radiosensitizing agents with radiation was only approved for UA and 2 Gy of radiation.

CONCLUSION

Based on our study, UA and KA have cytotoxic effects on HCT116 cell line. Furthermore, UA may lead to radiosensitization of human colorectal tumor cells by NF-κB1 and CCND1signaling pathways.

Hairy root induction and Farnesiferol B production of endemic medicinal plant Ferula pseudalliacea

The effects of medium, gibberellic acid (GA₃) and stratification treatments on the seed germination of Ferula pseudalliacea were evaluated. Filter paper medium, 500 micro molar GA₃ and 8 week chilling treatment were resulted in significantly more seed germination than others. F. pseudalliacea was also transformed by Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Explants from young leaves, stems, cotyledon, and embryo were inoculated with A. rhizogenes strains ATCC 15834, 1724, A4, LB9402 and Ar318. Hairy roots were induced only from 10 to 12-days embryo explants using strains ATCC 15824 and 1724. Although, the transformation efficiency of ATCC 15834 (4%) strain was higher than 1724 (2%). Maximum hairy root transformation frequency (25%) was obtained in infection time of 10 min compared to that of 20 (20%) and 30 (5%) min. In addition, the transformation rate was significantly higher at the inoculation time of 72 h (29%) compared to that of 48 h (22%) and 24 h (6%). Transgenic hairy root lines were confirmed by PCR amplification of rolB gene. Hairy root lines were produced higher biomass in half B5 medium compared to that of half MS medium. Hairy roots lines from the strain ATCC 15834 produced more hairy root numbers and fresh and dried biomass compared to that of the strain 1724. Analyses of transgenic hairy root and natural roots extracts using HPLC showed that all the hairy root lines produced farnesiferol B.

Anatolicin, a Highly Potent and Selective Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene Coumarin from the Root Extract of Heptaptera anatolica

Seven known sesquiterpene coumarins and a new sesquiterpene coumarin, anatolicin (8), were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of the roots of Heptaptera anatolica. Structures of these compounds were elucidated based on their spectral properties. While some of these sesquiterpene coumarins showed modest cytotoxic activity against COLO205, KM12, A498, UO31, and TC32 cancer cell lines, selective cytotoxicity of anatolicin (8) and 14′-acetoxybadrakemin (7) were observed at nanomolar level against the UO31 kidney cancer cell line.

Effects of ethanolic extract of Ferula gummosa oleo-resin in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes

Previous studies have shown that some plants in the genus of Ferula (Apiaceae) have antidiabetic effects. The present work was aimed to evaluate effects of Ferula gummosa oleo-resin in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups (n = 6): normal control, diabetic control, diabetic rats treated with insulin (3 IU/day), and diabetic rats treated with 100 or 400 mg/kg/day of an ethanolic extract of the oleo-resin. After 4 weeks, blood samples were collected for measuring fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. In addition, levels of lipid peroxidation, thiol groups, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were evaluated in the liver and kidney. At the end of the fourth week, the level of FBG in rats treated with 100 mg/kg of the extract was lower than that in diabetic control rats (273 ± 39 mg/dL vs 471 ± 32 mg/dL). Administration of insulin and the extract had no significant effects on the serum lipids. Insulin and both doses of the extract significantly reduced the activity of ALT. In addition, the extract inhibited lipid peroxidation in the kidney and restored the elevated level of SOD in the liver and kidneys. Ferula gummosa oleo-resin has the potential to prevent or delay the complications of diabetes by inhibiting the progression of hyperglycemia and attenuating oxidative stress-induced damage in the liver and kidneys.

Insights on the molecular mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect of formula from Islamic traditional medicine: An in-silico study

Background and aim

Traditional medicine is an important source for drug discovery. However, many challenges face the scientific community to develop novel drugs from it. To investigate the rationale behind the medical legacy of centuries of precious knowledge from traditional medicine, we aimed at performing virtual screening to identify potential leads from the middle-age textbook, The Canon of Medicine.

Experimental procedure

A database of chemical constituents of plants mentioned within the book was built and docked against different molecular targets associated with inflammation such as phospholipase A2, p38 alpha mitogen activated protein kinase, cyclooxygenase-2 and leukotriene B4 dehydrogenase, after that literature survey was done to determine the consistency of traditional uses and molecular docking results with the current knowledge obtained from previous studies and reports.

Results and conclusion

The in-silico study revealed the ability of several chemical constituents, in the plants under investigation, to bind effectively to different targets associated with inflammation, which was consistent with previous reports, indicating that Islamic traditional medicine can be considered as a reliable promising source for developing new anti-inflammatory agents with low toxicity and minimal side effects.

A ferutinin analogue with enhanced potency and selectivity against ER-positive breast cancer cells in vitro

Estrogen is considered a risk factor for breast cancer since it promotes breast-cell proliferation. The jaesckeanadiol-3-p-hydroxyphenylpropanoate, a hemi-synthetic analogue of the natural phytoestrogen ferutinin (jaesckeanadiol-p-hydroxybenzoate), is designed to be devoid of estrogenic activity. This analogue induces a cytotoxic effect 30 times higher than that of ferutinin towards MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. We compared these two compounds with respect to their effect on proliferation, cell cycle distribution and cancer stem-like cells in the MCF-7 cell line. Treatment with ferutinin (30 μM) and its analogue (1 μM) produced significant accumulation of cells at the pre G0/G1 cell cycle phase and triggered apoptosis. Importantly, this compound retains its anti-proliferative activity against breast cancer stem/progenitor cells that are naturally insensitive to ferutinin at the same dose. These results position ferutinin analogue as an effective compound inhibiting the proliferation of estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells and consistently targeting their stem-like cells.

Biological activities of farnesiferol C: a review

Farnesiferol C (FC) is a sesquiterpene coumarin, with a unique chemical structure, isolated from Ferula (Apiaceae) species including Ferula assa-foetida and Ferula szowitsiana. The compound is an important natural product with different biological activities. Recently, researchers have been interested in FC and begun to investigate its biological effects. They have shown that FC possesses various biological properties including cytotoxic, apoptotic, MDR reversal, antitumor, antimutagenic, and antiviral activity. In addition, FC has shown moderate neuroprotective activity against oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro. This review summarizes the biological activities of FC that has been published to date. A complete search performed on relevant databases consists of Pubmed, Scopus, Web of science, Google scholar, Science direct, and Magiran. Selected keywords were sesquiterpene coumarin, farnesiferol C, biological activity, cytotoxicity, pharmacology, anticancer, and anti-angiogenesis. All of the data were checked out and irrelevant articles were discarded.

Flavonoid and stilbene derivatives from Macaranga trichocarpa

A new farnesylated flavonol (4'-O-methylmacagigantin) and a new geranylated stilbene (macatrichocarpin H), together with eight known phenolic compounds, have been isolated from the leaves of Macaranga trichocarpa. Structures of these compounds were determined based on NMR and mass spectrroscopic data. Cytotoxic properties of the isolated compounds were tested against P-388 cells showing that mactrichocarpin G was the most active compound with IC₅₀ was 3.5μM.

Farnesiferol C induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis mediated by oxidative stress in MCF-7 cell line

Farnesiferol C is one of the major compounds, isolated from Ferula asafoetida (a type of coumarins) and used for cancer treatment as a folk remedy. Treatment of many cancers depends on oxidative stress situation. In this study, we sought the hypothesis that oxidative stress induced by Farnesiferol C contribute to anticancer property and induce apoptosis in MCF-7, human breast cancer cell line. We investigated the effect of Farnesiferol C on oxidative stress by measurement of some enzymes activity including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as some parameters such as total thiol and ROS levels. Also we evaluated Farnesiferol C effects on the cell cycle and apoptosis induction by using flow cytometry analysis. Our findings demonstrated that Farnesiferol C significantly induced apoptosis mediated by increasing in the cellular ROS levels. This compound increased cellular SOD and CAT activities in 24 and 48 h and reduced activity of these enzymes after 72 h exposure. Furthermore, MDA and total thiol levels were increased and decreased, respectively in the cells treated with Farnesiferol C after 24-72 h. G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest followed by induction of apoptosis was also observed in MCF-7 cells after treatment with Farnesiferol C. According to these data, Farnesiferol C has a therapeutic effect on MCF-7 cells and can be suitable candidate for breast cancer treatment; however it is necessary for further experiments.

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of aerial parts of Ferula longipes Coss. ex Bonnier and Maury

This is the first study on the phytochemistry and antioxidant activity of Ferula longipes Coss. ex Bonnier and Maury (Apiaceae). A new flavonoid quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside-7-O-ß-D-[2-O-caffeoyl]-glucopyranoside (1), along with 10 known compounds kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (2), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (3), kaempferol-3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside-7-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (4), isorhamnetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (5), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (6), isorhamnetin-3,7-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), apigenin (8), apigenin-7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (9), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (10), deltoin (11) were isolated from the aerial parts of Ferula longipes Coss. Structures elucidation was performed by comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR analyses, mass spectrometry and by comparison with literature data. The compounds 1, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 10 were evaluated for their antioxidant activity, compound 1 exhibited the best antiradical activity potential and showed IC₅₀ and A_0.5 values 5.70, 7.25, 5.00, and 2.63 μg/mL towards DPPH free radical-scavenging, ABTS, CUPRAC, and reducing power assays, respectively compared with BHA, BHT and ascorbic acid which were used as positive controls.

Comparison of seven structurally related coumarins on the inhibition of Quorum sensing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Chromobacterium violaceum

Quorum sensing (QS) is a cell-to-cell signaling communication system that controls the virulence behavior of a broad spectrum of bacterial pathogens, participating also in the development of biofilms, responsible of the antibiotic ineffectiveness in many infections. Therefore, QS system is an attractive target for antimicrobial therapy. In this study, we compare the effect of seven structurally related coumarins against bacterial growth, biofilm formation and elastase activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, the anti-pathogenic capacity of the seven coumarins was evaluated on the wild type and the biosensor strain of Chromobacterium violaceum. The comparative study of coumarins showed that molecules with hydroxyl groups on the aromatic ring displayed higher activity on the inhibition of biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa over coumarins with substituents in positions 3 and 4 or without the double 3,4-bond. These 3 or 4-hydroxylated positions caused a decrease in the anti-biofilm activity obtained for coumarin. However, the hydroxyl group in position 3 of the pyrone ring was important for the inhibition of C. violaceum QS and elastolytic activity of P. aeruginosa. The effects observed were active independently of any effect on growth. According to our results, coumarin and its hydroxylated derivatives represent an interesting group of compounds to use as anti-virulence agents against the human pathogen P. aeruginosa.

Synthesis and Biotransformation of Bicyclic Unsaturated Lactones with Three or Four Methyl Groups

The aim of this study was to obtain new unsaturated lactones by chemical synthesis and their microbial transformations using fungal strains. Some of these strains were able to transform unsaturated lactones into different hydroxy or epoxy derivatives. Strains of Syncephalastrum racemosum and Absidia cylindrospora gave products with a hydroxy group introduced into a tertiary carbon, while the Penicillium vermiculatum strain hydroxylated primary carbons. The Syncephalastrum racemosum strain hydroxylated both substrates in an allylic position. Using the Absidia cylindrospora and Penicillium vermiculatum strains led to the obtained epoxylactones. The structures of all lactones were established on the basis of spectroscopic data.