Coumarins from Ferulago capillaris and F. brachyloba

Phytochemical analysis and biological evaluation of Ferulago setifolia K. Koch

BACKGROUND

Ferulago setifolia K. Koch (Apiaceae) has been the subject of this study, aiming to comprehensively determine its phenolic fingerprint and evaluate its various biological activities. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the 70% methanol extract of F. setifolia (FS) revealed the presence of 23 phytochemicals, among which chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and quercetin-3-O-glucoside were identified as the major phenolics in the extract.

RESULTS

The biological screening included examinations of antioxidant, antibacterial, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities. The FS extract displayed moderate 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and ferric-reducing capacity, indicating moderate antioxidant activity. Furthermore, FS exhibited significant antiproliferative effects on cancer cells while showing low cytotoxicity on normal cells. The antibacterial activity findings revealed that FS demonstrated potent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that the methanolic extract of FS holds promise as a potential source of biologically active compounds. It can be utilized for the development of pharmaceutical formulations, thanks to its significant antiproliferative and antibacterial activities. Additionally, FS can serve as a valuable source of chlorogenic acid for industrial applications. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

The five Ferulago species inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis of A549, MCF-7, PC3 and SW480 cancer cells in vitro

In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of ethanolic extracts prepared from the roots of 5 Ferulago species [F. humilis Boiss., F. macrosciadia Boiss. & Balansa, F. sandrasica Peşmen & Quézel, F. silaifolia (Boiss.) Boiss., F. trojana Akalın & Pimenov] on various human cancer cell lines. The cytotoxicity analyses against human lung (A549), breast (MCF-7), prostate (PC3) and colon (SW480) cancer cell lines were determined by MTT test; while the apoptotic effect was evaluated by Annexin V binding assay. All studied extracts showed concentration-dependent cytotoxic activity with an IC50 value ranging from 0.416 to 5.336 mg/mL. The studied Ferulago species significantly induced apoptosis of cancer cells, while F. macrosciadia had the highest apoptotic activity on MCF-7 cells with 21.79 ± 1.63% apoptotic cell population (p < 0.0001). In addition, felamedin and prantschimgin content of the extracts, which are common coumarins in Ferulago species, were evaluated by HPLC. According to HPLC analysis, the highest amount of felamedin content was found in F. trojana, while the highest content of prantschimgin was found in F. sandrasica among the studied Ferulago species. This preliminary research has revealed that the studied Ferulago species have promising effects on various cancer cell lines. Further studies are planned to determine the compounds responsible for the effect and underlying mechanism.

Effect of isolated grandivittin from Ferulago trifida Boiss. (Apiaceae) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human lung cancer A549 cells

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the world. Introducing new promising agents can help the chemotherapeutic management of cancer. In the knowledge of oncology, plants are of special interest as a rich source of new antineoplastic and chemotherapeutic agents. Grandivittin (GRA) is one of the main constituents of Ferulago trifida Boiss. with established medicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties. This study aimed to isolate and evaluate the antineoplastic potential of grandivittin and its underlying mechanisms in human lung cancer A549 cells. The viability of the A549 cells after being treated with 0.1, 0.4, 0.7, 1, and 1.3 mM of GRA for three following days was measured using the MTT method. The early apoptosis and late apoptosis were assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis through annexin V/PI staining. The expression of apoptotic agents' genes (caspase 3, caspase 9, Bcl2, Bax, and P53) was evaluated by the RT-PCR method. GRA increased apoptotic cells and decreased cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner, in which only 50% of cells survived at a dose of 0.7 mM. The expression of Bax, P53, caspase 3, and caspase 9 genes in the A549 cells was significantly upregulated after GRA treatment compared to control cells (P < 0.05). On the other hand, Bcl2 was significantly downregulated after GRA treatment (P < 0.05). The results indicated that GRA can activate cell death in A549 lung carcinoma cells by inducing both DNA toxicity p53 and cascade-dependent pathways. Therefore, GRA may be a potential new therapeutic agent for the treatment of lung cancer.

A Comparative Study on Essential Oil Profile and Antioxidant Activity in Different Parts of Three Ferulago Species

In the present study, the phytochemical features of the essential oils from leaves, flowers, and fruits in three Ferulago species including F. angulata, F. carduchorum, and F. contracta was investigated. The essential oils were extracted using the hydrodistillation method and analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS. The essential oil content varied between 0.46 to 2.65 % (v/w) among the various parts of the studied species. Monoterpene hydrocarbons (leaves: 34.80-78.76 %, flowers: 88.67-94.26 %, fruits: 89.54-94.21 %) constituted the main fraction of three Ferulago species. The major compounds of the essential oil among the species were α-pinene (15.01-22.16 %), β-phellandrene (2.48-14.73 %), α-phellandrene (0.52-13.8 %), and germacrene B (0.11-13.28 %) in leaves; (Z)-β-ocimene (38.46-47.21 %), α-pinene (10.25-18.32 %), and α-phellandrene (5.07-9.44 %) in flowers; (Z)-β-ocimene (10.21-41.19 %), α-phellandrene (7.51-31.89 %), α-pinene (8.96-17.71 %), β-phellandrene (7.24-17.44 %), terpinolene (2.90-7.77 %), and δ-3-carene (1.57-7.66 %) in fruits. The classical antioxidant activity of the essential oils was assessed using the DPPH method. The fruit essential oils of the studied species induced a significant level of antioxidant activity compared to ascorbic acid (EC₅₀ =50.24 μg/mL). The highest level of antioxidant activity was found in F. carduchorum (EC₅₀ =68.75 μg/mL) fruits essential oil. Ferulago species, therefore, have the potential to be utilized as natural antioxidants in the pharmaceutical, food or cosmetic industries owing to their high level of antioxidant activity.

Oxypeucedanin: Chemotaxonomy, Isolation, and Bioactivities

The present review comprehensively gathered phytochemical, bioactivity, and pharmacokinetic reports on a linear furanocoumarin, namely oxypeucedanin. Oxypeucedanin (OP), which structurally contains an epoxide ring, has been majorly isolated from ethyl acetate-soluble partitions of several genera, particularly Angelica, Ferulago, and Prangos of the Apiaceae family; and Citrus, belonging to the Rutaceae family. The methanolic extract of Angelica dahurica roots has been analytically characterized as the richest natural OP source. This naturally occurring secondary metabolite has been described to possess potent antiproliferative, cytotoxic, anti-influenza, and antiallergic activities, as assessed in preclinical studies. In order to explore potential drug candidates, oxypeucedanin, its derivatives, and semi-synthetically optimized analogues can be considered for the complementary assessments of biological assays.

The ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological properties of genus Ferulago - A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The genus Ferulago, belonging to the Apiaceae family, is found mainly in the Mediterranean area, Southwest and Middle Asia, the Caucasus and North Africa. Since ancient times, species of this genus have been largely employed in traditional medicine for their biological properties such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, insecticidal, and anti-malaria, cholinesterase inhibition effects, etc. AIMS: The scope of this paper is to present a comprehensive respect review of this interesting genus including traditional uses, chemical composition of volatile and non-volatile metabolites, and in vitro and in vivo biological properties either utilizing the crude extracts or essential oils, or the single isolated compounds. Furthermore, critical considerations of the published data have been highlighted by comparing them with the results obtained from species of other genus belonging to the Apiaceae family.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The available information on these genera was collected from scientific databases and cover from 1967 up to 2020. The following electronic databases were used: PubMed, SciFinder, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The search terms used for this review included Ferulago, all the botanical names of the species, both accepted names or synonyms, essential oils, volatile components, traditional uses, activity, pharmacology, and toxicity. No limitations were set for languages. A total of 230 articles were included in the present review.

RESULTS

Researches performed on either crude extracts, solvent fractions or isolated pure compounds from species of genus Ferulago showed several biological properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, antidiabetic, enzymatic, cytotoxic, anticancer, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antileishmanial, antimalarial, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, insecticidal, etc. Activities. Phytochemical investigations of Ferulago species have revealed that coumarins are the main constituents of the genera. A large number of flavonoids, terpenoids and other metabolites were also identified. Furthermore, a complete review on the essential oil composition of all the taxa studied so far has been also included.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we have provided scientific information and research developments on traditional uses, phytochemical profiles, biological activities and industrial practices on the Ferulago genus. The commercial use and the applications in agri-food sector of some of these species have been also considered. In fact, the various extracts and essential oils have been used as antioxidants and/or as antimicrobial agents, for the stabilization of sunflower and soybean oil, for food packagings, as antioxidants of mayonnaise and yogurt during their storage and, also, as economically valid source for obtaining single compounds, more expensive at a synthetic level.

The phytochemistry and biological diversity of Ferulago genus (Apiaceae): a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The genus Ferulago belonging to the family Apiaceae is a flora widely distributed in Central Asia and the Mediterranean and used in folk medicine. It is administered as a sedative, tonic, digestive, aphrodisiac, also as a treatment for intestinal worms and haemorrhoids. Herein, we reported a review on phytochemistry and its biological activities reported from 1990 up to early 2020. All the information and reported studies concerning Ferulago plants were summarized from the library and digital databases (e.g. Scopus, Medline, Scielo, ScienceDirect, SciFinder and Google Scholar).

KEY FINDINGS

The phytochemical investigations of Ferulago species revealed the presence of coumarins as the main bioactive compounds, including daucane derivatives, sesquiterpenes aryl esters, phenol derivatives, flavonoids and essential oils. Moreover, the therapeutic potentials of the pure compounds isolated from the genus Ferulago possess promising properties namely anticholinesterase, antimicrobial, anticoagulant, antileishmanial, antioxidant, antibacterial and antiproliferative.

SUMMARY

Today, significant advances in phytochemical and biological activity studies of different Ferulago species have been revealed. The traditional uses and reported biological results could be correlated via the chemical characterization of these plants. All these data will support the biologists in the elucidation of the biological mechanisms of these plants.

Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses and Pharmacological Properties of the Genus Opopanax W. D. J. Koch: A Mini-Review

The genus Opopanax W.D.J. Koch is a member of the Apiaceae family, distributed throughout the Mediterranean region and comprises only three recognized and well-defined species, O. chironium (L.) W.D.J. Koch, O. hispidus (Friv.) Griseb. and O. persicus Boiss. The species of this genus with yellow flowers are well-known in traditional medicine and consumed as food. This review critically appraises published literature on the phytochemistry, traditional usages, and pharmacological activities of the genus Opopanax. In addition, it provides evidence to suggest that the plants from this genus have potential phytotherapeutic applications. Previous phytochemical and bioactivity studies revealed that the genus Opopanax predominantly produces coumarins, diterpenes, phenolics, and phthalides, and possesses various biological and pharmacological properties, including anticancer, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The phytochemical profile and pharmacological activities of the genus Opopanax could be useful for further study and might find additional medicinal applications in evidence-based phytotherapy

Bioactive prenylated coumarins as potential anti-inflammatory and anti-HIV agents from Clausena lenis

The phytochemical study on the stems of Clausena lenis resulted in the isolation of three new prenylated coumarins, clauselenins A-C (1-3), together with nine known prenylated coumarins (4-12). The chemical structures of new prenylated coumarins (1-3) were elucidated by means of comprehensive spectral analyses and the known compounds (4-12) were determined by means of comparing their experimental spectral data with those described data in the literatures. All isolated prenylated coumarins were assessed for their anti-inflammatory effects together with anti-HIV activities in vitro. Prenylated coumarins 1-12 displayed remarkable inhibitory effects against nitric oxide (NO) production induced by lipopolysaccharide in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells in vitro with the IC₅₀ values which are comparable to hydrocortisone. Meanwhile, prenylated coumarins 1-12 exhibited considerable anti-HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) activities possessing EC₅₀ values in the range of 0.17-9.08 µM. These findings indicate that the isolation and identification of these prenylated coumarins with pronounced anti-inflammatory effects as well as anti-HIV activities separated from the stems of C. lenis could be of great significance to the development of new anti-inflammatory and anti-HIV agents and their potential applications in the pharmaceutical industry.

The α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the dichloromethane extracts and constituents of Ferulago bracteata roots

CONTEXT

Ferulago (Apiaceae) species have been used since ancient times for the treatment of intestinal worms, hemorrhoids, and as a tonic, digestive, aphrodisiac, or sedative, as well as in salads or as a spice due to their special odors.

OBJECTIVES

This study reports the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of dichloromethane extract and bioactive compounds isolated from Ferulago bracteata Boiss. & Hausskn. roots.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The isolated compounds obtained from dichloromethane extract of Ferulago bracteata roots through bioassay-guided fractionation and isolation process were evaluated for their in vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities at 5000-400 µg/mL concentrations. Compound structures were elucidated by detailed analyses (NMR and MS).

RESULTS

A new coumarin, peucedanol-2'-benzoate (1), along with nine known ones, osthole (2), imperatorin (3), bergapten (4), prantschimgin (5), grandivitinol (6), suberosin (7), xanthotoxin (8), felamidin (9), umbelliferone (10), and a sterol mixture consisted of stigmasterol (11), β-sitosterol (12) was isolated from the roots of F. bracteata. Felamidin and suberosin showed significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ 0.42 and 0.89 mg/mL, respectively) when compared to the reference standard acarbose (IC₅₀ 4.95 mg/mL). However, none of the tested extracts were found to be active on α-amylase inhibition.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrated that among the compounds isolated from CH₂Cl₂ fraction of F. bracteata roots, coumarins were determined as the main chemical constituents of this fraction. This is the first report on isolation and characterization of the bioactive compounds from root extracts of F. bracteata and on their α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.

Chemical composition, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of essential oils from Ferulago angulata

CONTEXT

Ferulago angulata Boiss. (Apiaceae), a perennial aromatic herb, grows wild in Iran. The aerial parts of F. angulata are used as a flavouring in foods, especially dairy foods by indigenous people in western and southwestern Iran.

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates variation in chemical compositions, antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the essential oils from F. angulata collected from natural habitats in the alpine regions of southwestern Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The antimicrobial activity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal (MBC) of the essential oils were evaluated against four bacteria (Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium). Antioxidant activity of the oils was determined by DPPH assay.

RESULTS

The essential oils were analyzed by GC-FID and GC/MS, which 49 volatile components were identified. There were significant differences between the various populations for oil yield and some main compounds. The major constituents of the essential oils from F. angulata were α-pinene, and cis-β-ocimene. The MICs of the essential oils were within concentration ranges from 62 to 250 μg/mL and the respective MBCs were 125 to > 500 μg/mL. Generally, the oils from F. angulata indicated weak to moderate inhibitory activities against bacteria, especially against Listeria monocytogenes. The highest antioxidant activity was obtained from the oil of the Kallar population (IC₅₀ value=488 μg/mL) and BHT as positive control (IC₅₀ value =321 μg/mL).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The essential oil of F. angulata could be serving as a potential source of α-pinene and cis-β-ocimene for use in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

Grandivittin as a natural minor groove binder extracted from Ferulago macrocarpa to ct-DNA, experimental and in silico analysis

Ferulago macrocarpa (Fenzl) Boiss., is an endemic medicinal herb of Iran. In this study a dihydrofuranocoumarin called grandivittin (GRA) was separate and purified from Ferulago macrocarpa (Fenzl) Boiss, and characterized by (1)H NMR and Mass spectroscopic methods. The electrochemical behavior of GRA was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The interaction of GRA with calf thymus double strand deoxyribonucleic acid (ct-DNA), was evaluated by CV, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), fluorescence, UV-Vis, FT-IR and molecular modeling methods. The thermodynamic parameters of GRA-DNA complex were measured and reported as: ΔH = 15.04 kJ mol(-1), ΔS = 105.54 J mol(-1) and ΔG = -15.62 kJ mol(-1). Docking simulation was performed to investigate the probable binding mode of GRA to various DNA, too. The polymerase extension study was performed using real-time PCR to confirm the inhibitory effect of GRA on polymerase extension activity as a mirror of binding to ct-DNA. However, all data showed that the grooves binding especially minor groove between GRA and ct-DNA is more predominant rather than other binding modes.

Heracleum orphanidis: chemical characterisation, and comparative evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities with specific interest in the influence on Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

Pseudomonas aeruginosa treated with Heracleumorphanidis showed lower twitching and flagella motility.

Antiproliferative evaluation of terpenoids and terpenoid coumarins from Ferulago macrocarpa (Fenzl) Boiss. fruits

Background:

Ferulago macrocarpa is a plant used as flavoring agent and protectant in the food industry and as a folk medicinal plant in Iran with no available information on its chemical identity. Ferulago spp. showed to contain biologically terpenoids and coumarins.

Objective:

The objective was to isolate and characterize terpenoids and coumarins from the acetone extract of F. macrocarpa fruits and to evaluate their antiproliferative effects on several cell lines.

Materials and Methods:

A series of normal and reverse phase gravity and high-performance liquid chromatography analyses were used to purify constituents. Compounds 1–5 and 7 were evaluated for their cytotoxic effects on MCF-7, HT-29 and H-1299 cell lines.

Results:

Six compounds including bornyl acetate (1), 1,10-di-epi-cubenol (2), stigmasterol (3) and three coumarins grandivittin (4), prantschimgin (5) and 4”-hydroxygrandivittin (7) along with mixtures of feruloyl derivatives (6a-6c) have been purified. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods including nuclear magnetic resonance and MS analyses. Compound 2 showed moderate cytotoxicity effect with IC₅₀ values of 5.0 and 6.7 mM on MCF-7 and HT-29, respectively.

Conclusion:

1,10-di-epi-Cubenol could be considered as a potential proliferation inhibitor of MCF-7 and HT-29 cell lines.

Vasorelaxing activity of two coumarins from Murraya paniculata leaves

In the search for novel chemical scaffolds leading to potential antihypertensive agents, the methanol extract of Murraya paniculata leaves was assessed for its effects on isolated rat aorta rings. The vasorelaxing effect of the chloroform fraction of the methanol plant extract was the most potent for its vasorelaxing activity on rat aorta rings contracted by 60 mM K(+) (K60). Two coumarins were isolated from the chloroform fraction: the novel kimcuongin (1) and the known murracarpin (2). Their structures were determined from spectroscopic evidences including (1)H- and (13)C-NMR, correlation spectroscopy (COSY), nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY), heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC), heteronuclear single quantum correlation (HSQC), and high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS). Kimcuongin and, to a lesser extent, murracarpin, showed vasorelaxing activity with IC50 values of 37.7 µM and 139.3 µM, respectively. The coumarins kimcuongin and murracarpin may thus represent a novel class of vasodilators of natural source.

Anticoagulant activity of isolated coumarins (suberosin and suberenol) and toxicity evaluation of Ferulago carduchorum in rats

CONTEXT

Ferulago carduchorum Boiss. & Hausskn. (Apiaceae) is known as Chavil in Persian which grows in west of Iran. Local people add Chavil to dairy and oil ghee as a natural preservative to extend the expiration date.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this survey is the safety evaluation of the total extract of F. carduchorum in rats by determining both oral acute and subchronic toxicities; furthermore, the anticoagulant activity of isolated coumarins was evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The aerial parts of F. carduchorum were extracted by the percolation method. The anticoagulant activity of isolated coumarins was evaluated and the total extract was used to investigate acute and subchronic toxicity in rats. In the subchronic toxicity model, doses of 250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg of the extract were administered to treated groups for 30 consecutive days by gavage.

RESULTS

According to the results of acute toxicity, the LD50 of Chavil extract was more than 2000 mg/kg. The subchronic study showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) between the groups treated with extract and control groups in hematological (erythrocyte, total and differential leukocyte, hematocrit, hemoglobin, platelet count) and biochemical parameter (glucose, albumin, cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase) evaluations. The isolated coumarins (suberosin and suberenol) prolonged the prothrombin time (PT) at doses of 3 and 6 mg/kg compared with control (p < 0.05). The longest PT was for suberosin at 6 mg/kg (17.4 s).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, oral administration of the Chavil extract did not cause either acute or subchronic toxicities although the coumarins showed anticoagulant effect in rats.

Cytotoxic cardiac glycosides and coumarins from Antiaris toxicaria

Eight new cardiac glycosides/aglycones (antiaritoxiosides A-G, 1-7, and antiarotoxinin B, 8), two new coumarins (anticarins A-B, 41-42), and two new flavanones (antiarones L-K, 43-44) were isolated from trunk bark of Antiaris toxicaria together with 53 known compounds. The new structures were established by extensive analysis of spectroscopic data. Compound 1 (10-carboxy and 3α-hydroxy) and compounds 3-6 (10-hydroxy) contain unique substituents that are rarely found in cardiac glycosides. The cytotoxic effects of isolated compounds against ten human cancer cell lines, KB, KB-VIN, A549, MCF-7, U-87-MG, PC-3, 1A9, CAKI-1, HCT-9 and S-KMEL-2, were tested using the sulforhodamine B assay. Five compounds (12, 16, 20, 22, and 31) showed significant cytotoxicity against all ten cancer cell lines, with notable potency at the ng/mL level against some cell lines, which merits further development as clinical trial candidates.

Asymmetric total synthesis of smyrindiol employing an organocatalytic aldol key step

The first organocatalytic asymmetric synthesis of smyrindiol, by using an (S)-proline catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular aldol reaction as the key step, is described. Smyrindiol was synthesized from commercially available 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde in 15 steps, with excellent stereoselectivity (de = 99%, ee = 99%). In the course of this total synthesis a new and mild coumarin assembly was developed.

Alkaloid and coumarins from the green fruits of Aegle marmelos

Five (1-5) and 15 known compounds were isolated from the acetone extract of the green fruits of Aegle marmelos. The structure of compounds 1-5, marmesiline (1), 6-(4-acetoxy-3-methyl-2-butenyl)-7-hydroxycoumarin (2), 6-(2-hydroxy-3-hydroxymethyl-3-butenyl)-7-hydroxycoumarin (3), marmelonine (4) and 8-hydroxysmyrindiol (5), were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. Antifungal and antibacterial activities of selected compounds were also evaluated.

Chemical constituents from the roots of Feroniella lucida

A new furanocoumarin named lucidafuranocoumarin A (7) together with 13 known coumarins (1-6, 8-14) and four known alkaloids (15-18) was isolated from the roots of Feroniella lucida. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. Some of the isolates were evaluated for their biological activities, and compound 18 showed strong cytotoxicity against KB (IC(50) = 0.637 μg/ml) and NCI-H187 (IC(50) = 0.094 μg/ml) human cancer cell lines, antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum (IC(50) = 0.336 μg/ml), and antituberculosis activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MIC = 6.25 μg/ml).

Essential Oil Composition of Four Endemic Ferulago Species Growing in Turkey

The essential oils from aerial parts of Ferulago pachyloba (Fenzl) Boiss., F. platycarpa Boiss. Bal., F. isaurica Peşmen, and F. longistylis Boiss. (Apiaceae) were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. The highest oil yield (1.50%) was obtained from F. pachyloba followed by F. longistylis (0.16%), F. isaurica (0.08%) and F. platycarpa (0.07%). Fifty-three compounds were identified in the oil of F. pachyloba with ( Z)-β-ocimene (25.7%) and α-pinene (9.8%) as main constituents; sixty-seven in the oil of F. platycarpa with 2,3,6-trimethylbenzaldehyde (29.8%) and cis-chrysanthenyl acetate (24.2%) as main components; seventy-eight in the oil of F. isaurica with nonacosane (25.5%) and hexadecanoic acid (14.8%) as main constituents; and fifty-nine in the oil of F. longistylis with 2,3,6-trimethylbenzaldehyde (32.7%) and bornyl acetate (12.6%) as main components. Quantitative and qualitative differences in the oil compositions of these four species were observed.

Antifungal activity of extracts and prenylated coumarins isolated from Baccharis darwinii Hook & Arn. (Asteraceae)

The petroleum ether extract of Baccharis darwinii showed activity against Cryptococcus neoformans and dermatophytes. Bioactivity-guided fractionation of Baccharis darwinii has resulted in the isolation of three coumarins: 5'-hydroxy aurapten (anisocoumarin H, 1), aurapten (7-geranyloxycoumarin, 2) and 5'-oxoaurapten (diversinin, 3). The structures of these compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods. These compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobialactivity against a panel of each, bacteria and fungi. Compound 3 showed the best activities against Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes with MICs = 15.6 microg/mL, followed by compound 1 whose MICs against the same fungi were 62.5 microg/mL. In addition they showed fungicidal rather than fungistatic activity. Both compounds showed moderate activity (MICs = 125 microg/mL) against Cryptococcus neoformans. This is the first report of the presence of compound 1 in B. darwinii.

Immunomodulatory activities of various medicinal plant extracts: effects on human lymphocytes apoptosis

Plant extracts have been widely evaluated for biological properties. In the present study extracts of several native plants in Iran was investigated for their possible immunomodulatory effects. Peripheral blood lymphocytes separated from healthy individuals were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and cultured with different concentrations of the extracts. Comparison of the cell proliferation in treated cultures showed the highest inhibitory effect due to exposure with Linum persicum. This extract caused a strong dose-dependent decrease in lymphocyte proliferation (p < 0.001). Lymphocytes treated with Cirsium bracteosum were inhibited in a dose dependent manner (SI range 0.9-0.2). Similarly, Echinophora cinerea-treated lymphocytes showed a significant reduction in proliferation compared to that in non-treated cells. Among the extracts, Dionysia termeana, Salvia macrociphon and Ferulago angulata had a mild stimulatory effect on the lymphocytes at concentrations less than 1 microg/ml (p < 0.05). At higher doses all these extracts showed significant inhibitory effects on the proliferation of PHA-treated cells (SI range 0.81 to 0.04). In cell cycle analysis performed by flow cytometry, the strongest appearance of apoptotic cells at sub-G1 phase in various extract-treated cultures was found for D. termeana (14.6 +/- 0.5%). The Percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis in cultures treated with L. persicum was more than 11 compared to that of the control (1.7 +/- 0.08). In DNA analysis, D. termeana and L. persicum showed typical DNA laddering, indicating that these extracts induced apoptosis of lymphocytes. In conclusion, all the extracts studied showed lymphocyte inhibitory effects at high concentrations. These inhibitory effects for some of the plants seem to be due to induction of apoptosis.

Potential anti-allergic acridone alkaloids from the roots of Atalantia monophylla

Acridone alkaloids, cycloatalaphylline-A (1), N-methylcyclo-atalaphylline-A (2) and N-methylbuxifoliadine-E (3), were isolated from the dichloromethane and acetone extracts of the root of Atalantia monophylla along with eight known acridone alkaloids: buxifoliadine-A (4), buxifoliadine-E (5), N-methylatalaphylline (6), atalaphylline (7), citrusinine-I (8), N-methylataphyllinine (9), yukocitrine (10) and junosine (11) and two known coumarins: auraptene (12) and 7-O-geranylscopoletin (13). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analyses. Compounds 2, 5 and 8 possessed appreciable anti-allergic activity in RBL-2H3 cells model with IC(50) values of 40.1, 6.1 and 18.7 microM, respectively.

Synthesis of 2,3-Dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-hydroxylalkylbenzofurans from Epoxy Aldehydes. One-Step Syntheses of Brosimacutin G, Vaginidiol, Vaginol, Smyrindiol, Xanthoarnol, and Avicenol A. Biomimetic Syntheses of Angelicin and Psoralen

We have developed two practical one-step syntheses of 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2-hydroxyalkylbenzofurans from readily available optically pure alpha,beta-epoxy aldehydes. Electron-deficient resorcinols react with epoxy aldehydes using either Cs2CO3 in DMF or KOH/CaCl2 in MeOH to give adducts 13, 16, 18, 20, 21, and brosimacutin G (6t). Grignard reagents prepared by low-temperature halogen-metal exchange of acetoxy iodocoumarins 35d and 40 and acetoxy bromonaphthalene 41 add to epoxy aldehyde (S)-26 to complete the first syntheses of vaginidiol (7c), vaginol (7t), smyrindiol (8c), xanthoarnol (8t), and avicenol A (9t). Acid-catalyzed fragmentation of vaginidiol or vaginol provides angelicin, while that of smyrindiol or xanthoarnol affords psoralen. In both cases, the trans isomers fragment only twice as fast as the cis isomers, possibly through the intermediacy of a common benzylic cation. This may have implications for the biosynthesis of angelicin and psoralen.

Coumarins from Opopanax chironium. New dihydrofuranocoumarins and differential induction of apoptosis by imperatorin and heraclenin

Opopanax chironium is a rich source of furano- and dihydrofuranocoumarins, whose accumulation in all plant parts and especially the roots is presumably responsible for the poisonous properties of the species. The presence of two distinct chemotypes was evidenced, with the one from Sicily affording the new dihydrofuranocoumarins 5d and 5e, while extracts from the Sardinian chemotype showed powerful apoptotic activity, which was traced to the prenylated furanocoumarins heraclenin (2a) and imperatorin (2b). Despite a close structural similarity, compounds 2a and 2b induced apoptosis in Jurkat leukemia cells in mechanistically different ways.

Hematologic complications of alternative remedies

The use of alternative therapies increased dramatically over the last decade with a wide variety of methods and interventions. Dietary supplements are a very common form of alternative therapy used by healthy people as well as patients with serious health problems. The use of these untested, unregulated therapies may carry inherent risks. Hematologic complications are known side effects of these remedies and may present potentially life-threatening events. This manuscript discusses the clinical manifestations and mechanisms of action of these remedies and provides recommendations for patients' evaluation and counseling.