Insecticidal, cytotoxic and anti-phytopathogenic fungal activities of chemical constituents from the aerial parts of Ferula sinkiangensis

Sesquiterpenes and Sesquiterpene Derivatives from Ferula: Their Chemical Structures, Biosynthetic Pathways, and Biological Properties

Ferula is a genus of flowering plants known for its edible and medicinal properties. Since ancient times, many species of Ferula have been used in traditional medicine to treat various health issues across countries, such as digestive disorders, respiratory problems, and even as a remedy for headaches and toothaches. In addition, they are also used as a flavoring agent in various cuisines. As the main active ingredients in Ferula, sesquiterpenes and their derivatives, especially sesquiterpene coumarins, sesquiterpene phenylpropanoids, and sesquiterpene chromones, have attracted the attention of scientists due to the diversity of their chemical structures, as well as their extensive and promising biological properties, such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties. However, there has not been a comprehensive review of sesquiterpenes and their derivatives from this plant. This review aims to provide an overview of the chemical structures, biosynthetic pathways, and biological properties of sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene derivatives from Ferula, which may help guide future research directions and possible application methods for this valuable edible and medicinal plant.

Sesquiterpene coumarins from Ferula sinkiangensis and their anti-pancreatic cancer effects

Eight previously unreported sesquiterpene coumarins, namely (+)- and (-)-ferulasinkian A (1), (-)-fukanefuromarin M (2), (±)-ferulasinkian C (3), (±)-ferulasinkian D (4), ferulasinkian E (5), ferulasinkian F (7), and ferulasinkian G (8), together with two known compounds, (+)-fukanefuromarin M (2) and 7-hydroxyferprenin (6), have been isolated from the roots of Ferula sinkiangensis (Umbelliferae). The structures of all compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, along with ECD calculations and optical rotation calculations. Compounds 1-6 are dimers consisting of a chain sesquiterpene and a coumarin with an oxygen-containing six-membered ring connected from coumarin C-3 and C-4. Currently, there are only seven such structures reported in the genus Ferula, and their absolute configurations have not yet been determined. Compounds 7-8 are sesquiterpene coumarin derivatives with a chain sesquiterpene connected with coumarin C-4. In the present study, the chiral separation of compounds (±)-1 and (±)-2 was successfully carried out, and the absolute configurations of compounds (±)-1, (±)-2, 5, 7 and 8 were determined. The isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against human pancreatic cancer cell lines including CFPAC-1, PANC-1, CAPAN-2 and SW 1990. Compounds (+)-1, (-)-1 and 7 exhibited potent cytotoxicity against pancreatic cancer cells with IC50 values ranging from 4.57 ± 0.94 to 14.01 ± 1.03 μM. Furthermore, the primary mechanistic study of (-)-1 demonstrated that it could induce apoptosis in CFPAC-1 cells.

Three new tetrahydrobenzofuran derivatives from Ferula sinkiangensis K.M.Shen and their cytotoxic activities

Phytochemical investigation the resins of Ferula sinkiangensis K.M.Shen yielded three new tetrahydrobenzofuran derivatives named as Sinkiangensis A-C (1-3). The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by analysis of their NMR, HRMS, and ECD spectra, and the absolute configurations were established through the comparison of experimental and calculated ECD spectra. Compound 3 exhibited moderate antitumor activities against AGS cancer cell with IC50 values of 15.6 µM. Moreover, assays demonstrated that compound 3 could induce AGS cancer cell apoptosis.

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.

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.

Racemic Norlignans as Diastereoisomers from Ferula sinkiangensis Resins with Antitumor and Wound-Healing Promotion Activities

Ferulasinkins A–D (1–4), four new norlignans, were isolated from the resins of Ferula sinkiangensis, a medicinal plant of the Apiaceae family. All of them were obtained as racemic mixtures, chiral HPLC was used to produce their (+)- and (−)-antipodes. The structures of these new compounds, including their absolute configurations, were elucidated by spectroscopic and computational methods. This isolation provides new insight into the chemical profiling of F. sinkiangensis resins beyond the well-investigated structure types such as sesquiterpene coumarins and disulfides. Compounds 2a and 3a were found to significantly inhibit the invasion and migration of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines via CCK-8 assay. On the other hand, the wound-healing assay also demonstrated that compounds 4a and 4b could promote the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Notably, the promoting effects of 4a and 4b were observed as more significant versus a positive control using basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF).

Metabolic Profile, Bioactivities, and Variations in the Chemical Constituents of Essential Oils of the Ferula Genus (Apiaceae)

The genus Ferula is the third largest and a well-known genus of the Apiaceae family. It is categorized in the Peucedaneae tribe and Ferulinae subtribe of the Apiaceae family. At present, about 180 Ferula species have been reported. The genus is mainly distributed throughout central and South-West Asia (especially Iran and Afghanistan), the far-East, North India, and the Mediterranean. The genus Ferula is characterized by the presence of oleo-gum-resins (asafoetida, sagapenum, galbanum, and ammoniacum) and their use in natural and conventional pharmaceuticals. The main phytochemicals present in the genus Ferula are as follows: coumarin, coumarin esters, sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene lactones, monoterpene, monoterpene coumarins, prenylated coumarins, sulfur-containing compounds, phytoestrogen, flavonoids and carbohydrates. This genus is considered to be a valuable group of medicinal plants due to its many different biological and pharmacological uses as volatile oils (essential oils). Numerous biological activities are shown by the chemical components of the essential oils obtained from different Ferula species. Because this genus includes many bioactivities such as antimicrobial, insecticidal, antioxidant, cytotoxic, etc., researchers are now focusing on this genus. Several reviews are already available on this particular genus, including information about the importance and the uses of all the phytochemicals found in the species of Ferula. Despite this, no review that specifically provides information about the biological activities of Ferula-derived essential oils, has been published yet. Therefore, the present review has been conducted to provide important information about the chemical profile, factors affecting the chemical composition, and biological activities of essential oils of the Ferula species.