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Eucosma giganteana (Riley) is a native specialist pest of silflower, Silphium integrifolium Michx. which is currently being domesticated as a perennial oilseeds crop. The larvae of this moth attack silflower capitula and root crowns, causing both seed damage and long-term degradation of plants. To determine methods to manage E. giganteana in silflower crop fields, we conducted a laboratory bioassay and 3 field experiments to assess the effects of a suite of organic, conventional, and mechanical treatments on E. giganteana mortality and colonization of flower heads. Pyrethroids (permethrin, cyfluthrin), chlorantraniliprole, and methoxyfenozide each had significant insecticidal effects on E. giganteana in at least 2 of the experiments conducted. Nematodes marginally increased larva mortality in the laboratory bioassay and could be further investigated as a soil-applied biological control. In 2 separate field experiments, trimming the top 15% of silflower plants to delay flowering did not alone reduce E. giganteana colonization of flower heads throughout the growing season. However, when trimming was paired with a single chlorantraniliprole application, colonization of capitula was reduced by 83% over untreated control plants. Collectively, these experiments provide evidence for several treatments that could be further tested and incorporated into an integrated pest management strategy for E. giganteana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objectives: Breast cancer, a significant threat to women's health, is associated with a high annual mortality rate. Oxidative stress, characterized by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, plays a pivotal role in cancer development. Ferula assafoetida, a traditional medicinal plant, has been widely used in cancer treatment. This study aims to compare the cytotoxic effects, phytochemical profiles, and antioxidant activities of Ferula assafoetida gum (FAGE) and leaf (FALE) extracts. Materials & Methods: The herbal extracts from FAGE and FALE were prepared using the maceration method in 70% ethanol. The phenolic content and radical scavenging activity of the extracts were assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu and diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays, respectively. The cytotoxic effects of the extracts were examined on the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell lines through the MTT assay. Additionally, the morphological changes of the cell lines were observed using an inverted microscope. Results: The phenolic content in FAGE (142.25± 19.35 μgGAE/mg) was significantly higher (P=0.01) than that in FALE (48.15± 3.01 μgGAE/mg). Additionally, the radical scavenging activity and cytotoxic effects of FAGE were also significantly stronger than those of FALE (P< 0.05). Regarding the cytotoxic effects of the extracts, FAGE exhibited IC50 values of 80.59± 10.98 and 59.39± 15.89 μg/mL for MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, respectively, after 72 hours of incubation. Conclusions: FAGE exhibited a greater cytotoxic effect on the MDA-MB-231 cell line than on the MCF-7, possibly following an estrogen-independent pattern. It appears that FAGE holds significant potential in refining oxidative stress, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferula sinkiangensis K. M. Shen (Apiaceae) is distributed in arid desert areas of Xinjiang, and its resin is a traditional Chinese medicine to treat gastrointestinal digestive diseases. To explore bioactive components from F. sinkiangensis, three new lignans and thirteen known components were isolated. The structural elucidation of the components was established utilizing spectroscopic analyses together with ECD calculations. Griess reaction results indicated new compounds 1 and 2 significantly decreased NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages, and ELISA results indicated that they effectively attenuated LPS-induced inflammation by inhibiting TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 expressions. The in silico approach confirmed that compound 1 docked into the receptors with strong binding energies of −5.84~−10.79 kcal/mol. In addition, compound 6 inhibited the proliferation of AGS gastric cancer cells with IC50 values of 15.2 μM by suppressing the cell migration and invasion. This study disclosed that F. sinkiangensis might be a promising potential resource for bioactive components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plants of the genus Ferula (Apiaceae), with more than 180 species found worldwide, have been a source of numerous bioactive secondary metabolites. In this study, we isolate the essential oils from different parts of an Iranian endemic species Ferula xylorhachis Rech.f. -for the first time- by hydro-distillation and further characterized their chemical profile by GC/MS analysis. In addition, we evaluated their antimicrobial properties against a set of skin pathogens, namely Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. GC/MS analysis of the essential oils resulted in the identification of seventy-two compounds representing 98% and 90.2% of all volatile compounds in the aerial parts and the roots, respectively. Some of these compounds, mainly the monoterpenes and aliphatic hydrocarbons, were also detected in headspace GC/MS analysis of the dried plant parts. The oil compositions were dominated by the monoterpene hydrocarbons in the aerial parts, and aliphatic hydrocarbons in the roots. The principal chemical constituents were sabinene (17.6%), a-pinene (16.2%) and n-nonane (14%) in the essential oil from the aerial parts, and n-nonane (56.5%), 10s,11s-himachala-3(12),4-diene (6.9%) and ß-himachalene (2.3%) in the essential oil from the roots. While the essential oils did not show activity against tested bacterial strains, they both exhibited antifungal activity against C. albicans at varying concentrations, which was promising in the case of roots essential oils which exhibited an MIC of 250 µg/mL. Based on our findings, the topical use of F. xylorhachis roots essential oils could be considered an alternative therapy for superficial infections caused by Candida species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferula species have been recognized as crucial medicinal plants that are known for producing a variety of sesquiterpenes, such as sesquiterpene lactones and sesquiterpene coumarins. However, guaianolide sesquiterpenes, which are sesquiterpene lactones that contain an alpha‐methylene‐gamma‐lactone moiety, are rare in Ferula spp. Ferula hindukushensis, an endemic species found in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran, belongs to the Ferula genus. In this study, the normal column chromatography technique was employed to fractionate the dichloromethane extract of F. hindukushensis. The structures of two guaianolide sesquiterpenes were identified using various nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, such as 13C NMR, 1H NMR, and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC), and were compared with the literature interpretation to confirm their structural characteristics. Moreover, the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was employed to examine the cytotoxicity of guaianolide compounds on various cell lines, including MCF‐7, 3T3, HT‐29, MCF‐10, PC12, and A549. The antioxidant effects of these compounds were evaluated using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The findings indicated that the antioxidant activity of the compounds was lower than that of vitamin C at the same concentration. The cytotoxic effects of the compounds varied depending on the cell types. Nevertheless, except for HT‐29, a concentration lower than 125 μg/mL was found to be non‐toxic for all cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Men’s sexual health plays an important role in male fertility and childbearing, as it is associated with factors such as sexual desire, healthy spermatogenesis, and erectile function. In various cultures, medicinal plants have been utilized to address male sexual issues, including infertility and erectile dysfunction. Despite recent advancements in medical science for treating male impotence, some men opt for herbal supplements as an alternative, given that numerous herbs have the potential to enhance male sexual performance. The Apiaceae family is one of the oldest plant families used for medicinal purposes. Ferula, a genus within this family, comprises approximately 170 different species worldwide. Members of this genus possess numerous therapeutic properties due to the presence of various compounds. This article aims to explore the potential impacts of Ferula plants on the male reproductive system. Methods: This review article was prepared by searching for terms including Ferula and “aphrodisiac,” Ferula and “spermatogenesis,” and Ferula and “male reproductive system.” Relevant information was gathered through electronic databases, including ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Results: The findings indicated that relatively comprehensive studies have been conducted in this area, revealing that certain Ferula species have been employed in folk medicine to boost fertility and libido. Recent research has corroborated these effects. Conclusion: It is hoped that new aphrodisiac compounds with fewer side effects can be isolated from Ferula plants in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arabinogalactan AG-Ften of molecular mass 40 kDa consisting of galactose and arabinose in a 25:10.6 ratio was isolated from the aerial part of Ferula tenuisecta. AG-Ften was found to consist of D-galactopyranoses bound by β-1,6-glycoside bonds as the main chain and a side chain of α-arabinose, β-galactose, and 4-O-methylglucuronic acid by using methylation, GC, GC-MS, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The F. tenuisecta polysaccharides exhibited bifidogenic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of asafoetida and essential oil of asafoetida (EOA) in ovariectomised (OVX) diabetic rats. Twenty-four female rats were divided into four groups consisting of 6 rats in each group. OVX Control, OVX diabetic, OVX diabetic and asafoetida (25 mg/kg), OVX diabetic and EOA 25 μL/kg. Fasting Blood glucose, lipid profiles and liver indices were measured, and liver and kidney histopathology was investigated. Urine volume, urea, creatinine, and microalbumin were measured. The neuropathic damage was assessed by the hot plate method. The results showed that only in the asafoetida group the blood sugar, ALT and AST levels decreased significantly. Consumption of food, water, and body weight also decreased in the asafoetida grouponly. Also, regarding histology, relative improvement was observed in kidney and liver tissue in the asafoetida group. A significant decrease in urine volume and improvement in creatinine, urea and microalbumin concentrations, as well as improvement in hot plate test response time, were observed in both treatment groups. It can be concluded that asafoetida is effective in treating diabetes, but its essential oil has no effective activity on diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There are few evaluation about the effects of Fennel and Ferula on human polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The goals of this study were to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two medicinal plants of the Apiaceae family (Fennel and Ferula) in management of PCOS.Materials and Methods: The sample size was 47 participants with PCOS who were randomly divided into 3 groups. The Ferula assa-foetida L group received 100 mg of Ferula (n=14), the Foeniculum vulgare group received 46 mg of Fennel (n=15), and the placebo group received placebo twice daily for 3 months (n=14).Results: Before the intervention, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of clinical parameters, endometrial thickness, or ovarian volume. After the interventions, the number of ovarian follicles was decreased in the Ferula and Fennel groups as compared to the placebo group (p

Introduction: Candidiasis therapy is a complicated concern because of the occurrence of resistance to antifungal agents. We studied the anti-fungal effects of Ferula macrecolea essential oil (FME) against Candida albicans resistant and sensitive strains, as well as its cytotoxic effects against normal and cancer cell lines. Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of F. macrecolea essential oil against C. albicans ATCC 5027 and C. albicans ATCC 76616 were studied by broth-microdilution approach. The cytotoxicities of FME on HGF1-PI (normal gingival cell line) and HepG2 (liver cancer cell line) cells were also studied. Results: The main components of essential oil were terpinolene (71.25%), n-nonanal (6.32%), and linalool (3.95%), respectively. The MIC and MFC of FME on C. albicans sensitive to nystatin were 1.6 and 2.0 μg/mL, respectively. The MIC and MFC of FME on nystatin-resistant strains were 3.3 and 4 μg/mL, respectively. The MIC and MFC of terpinolene on C. albicans sensitive to nystatin were 0.8 and 1.0 μg/mL, respectively. The MIC and MFC of terpinolene on nystatin-resistant strains were 2 and 2.4 μg/mL, respectively. The essential oil and terpinolene had no significant cytotoxic effects against normal cells. Conclusion: We revealed the promising antifungal effect of F. macrecolea essential oil and its main component, terpinolene, against C. albicans sensitive and resistant to nystatin with no significant toxicity on normal cells.

This article, titled "Chemical Constituents of Ferula lapidosa," provides information on the chemical composition of Ferula lapidosa Korovin, a plant species belonging to the Apiaceae family. The genus Ferula is known for its rich terpenoid content, and F. lapidosa is endemic to Central Asia. The roots of F. lapidosa contain various terpenoids, coumarins, higher aliphatic hydrocarbons, and fatty oils. The article also describes the process of isolating and identifying several compounds from F. lapidosa, including arachic acid, β-sitosterol, β-stigmasterol, and several others. The research was supported by the International Science and Technology Collaboration Projects of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Uzbekistan. [Extracted from the article]

The clinical use of anthracycline Doxorubicin as an antineoplastic drug in cancer therapy is limited by cardiotoxic effects that can lead to congestive heart failure. Recent studies have shown several promising activities of different species of the genus Ferula belonging to the Apiaceae Family. Ferula communis is the main source of Ferutinin—a bioactive compound isolated from many species of Ferula—studied both in vitro and in vivo because of their different effects, such as estrogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and also antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity, performed in a dose-dependent and cell-dependent way. However, the potential protective role of Ferutinin in myocardium impairment, caused by chemotherapeutic drugs, still represents an unexplored field. The aim of this study was to test the effects of Ferutinin rich-Ferula communis L. root extract (FcFE) at different concentrations on H9C2 cells. Moreover, we evaluated its antioxidant properties in cardiomyocytes in order to explore new potential therapeutic activities never examined before in other experimental works. FcFE, at a concentration of 0.25 µM, in the H9C2 line, significantly reduced the ROS production induced by H2O2 (50 µM and 250 µM) and traced the cell mortality of the H9C2 co-treated with Ferutinin 0.25 µM and Doxorubicin (0.5 µM and 1 µM) to control levels. These results showed that FcFE could protect against Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Further molecular characterization of this natural compound may open the way for testing FcFE at low concentrations in vivo and in clinical studies as an adjuvant in cancer therapy in association with anthracyclines to prevent side effects on heart cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastes from processing aerial parts of Ferula tenuisecta and Ferula kuhistanica (extracts obtained by processing the condensed aqueous EtOH extract with extraction benzine) were studied. The waste was shown to contain neutral lipids with high contents of unsaturated fatty acids (F. tenuisecta, 58.4%; F. kuhistanica, 63.1%). The main fatty acids of the wastes were linolenic, linoleic, and oleic; the major ones, palmitic and its homologs of the C10-C22 series. Pharmacological studies demonstrated that the oil composition prepared from lipids and lipophilic substances obtained from processing wastes of the aerial part of F. kuhistanica had a pronounced positive effect on healing of planar full-thickness skin wounds in mice (reduction of inflammatory edema, increased contraction followed by accelerated filling of wounds with granulation tissue and their epithelialization) and incised linear wounds in rats (increased regenerative processes in the wound area and a significant increase in the strength of the resulting scar). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of ongoing work on the Flora of the Southeastern United States (Weakley & Southeastern Flora Team 2022a) and related projects, as well as for general floristic, conservation, and scientific work in eastern North America, it is essential to document taxonomic and nomenclatural changes and significant distribution records. Here we describe three new species (in Rhynchospora, Sabulina, and Solidago), describe a new section (in Trichostema), make new combinations to treat taxa at appropriate ranks in appropriate genera and with appropriate nomenclatural application based on types (in Lycopodioides, Moeroris, Morella, Nellica, Tamala, and Trichostema), and propose the lumping of two species, resulting in a change in name and nativity status (in Sisyrinchium). These new combinations (rank changes, or generic transfers to apply newly accepted generic concepts to taxa that do not have corresponding available names at the appropriate rank) are needed to accurately reflect current taxonomic understanding of the regional flora. In the course of doing so, we discuss and address various nomenclatural issues, including typifications, and clarify characters and identification of difficult groups (providing new keys) in the regional flora. We also report significant new distribution and naturalization records in many genera, in New Jersey (taxa in the genera Anthriscus, Calibrachoa, Chaenomeles, Dichanthelium, Diplotaxis, Ditrichia, Dysphania, Erigeron, Eucommia, Eupatorium, Lepidium, Malus, Montia, Nepeta, Persicaria, Picea, Psammophiliella, Pulmonaria, Quercus, Silphium, Verbascum, Verbena, Vicia), in the Coastal Plain of Alabama and Mississippi (taxa in the genera Baptisia, Clematis, Coreopsis, Galium, Matelea, Mirabilis, Poterium, Rhynchospora, Silphium, and Symphyotrichum), in southern Indiana (taxa in the genera Andropogon, Brunnichia, Echinacea, Landoltia, Montia, Persicaria, and Solidago), and in North Carolina, Virginia, and likely other states (Euphorbia). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prompak is a traditional Thai polyherbal remedy for curing symptoms found in gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the anticancer potentials of individual ingredients of Prompak, i.e., Myristica fragrans, Euphorbia antiquorum, Piper nigrum, Aloe vera, Ferula assa-foetida, Moringa oleifera, and camphor. Sulforhodamine B assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of each ingredient against KATO-III, LS 174T, HepG2 cancer cells, and HaCaT normal cells. The antioxidant activity of each herb was examined using ABTS and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. The ethanolic extract of E. antiquorum showed the highest cytotoxicity with the most considerable selectivity against HepG2, KATO-III, and LS 174T cells (selective index = 104.40, 88.25, and 12.47, respectively). M. fragrans and A. vera were the only herbs showing great antioxidant activities in both ABTS and DPPH models. The ethanolic extracts from M. fragrans seeds and aril exhibited similar effects in either DPPH (EC50 = 14.23 vs. 13.41 µg/mL) or ABTS assays (EC50 = 16.35 vs. 12.44 µg/mL). A. vera latex inhibited DPPH and ABTS radicals with EC50 of 8.64 and 28.13 µg/mL, respectively. This data suggest that E. antiquorum may function as the main anticancer ingredient, while M. fragrans and A. vera may prevent cancer progression through their antioxidant capabilities. These findings, therefore, explain and support using Prompak as a polyherbal remedy for treating GI cancer and preventing cancer progression. However, comprehensive studies are required to identify the main active ingredients and ascertain the efficacy and safety of Prompak in pre-clinical and clinical investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most significant neglected tropical diseases that have a detrimental effect on economic and public health criteria is Schistosomiasis. Therefore, there is a permanent and urgent need to find alternative means of biological control. Ferula hermonis is a herbaceous plant with various pharmaceutical properties and is known for its endocrine-disrupting effects. The objective of the present study was to investigate the molluscicidal activity of F. hermonis roots methanol extract against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails. The experimental results showed that F. hermonis extract has a molluscicidal activity against adult B. alexandrina snails at LC50 (14.2 mg/l) and LC90 (18.1 mg/l). Exposure of snails to sublethal concentrations LC5 (8.3 mg/l) and LC10 (9.8 mg/l) of the extract considerably lowered snail fertility and egg-laying capacity. In addition, results detected an endocrine-disrupting influence where it caused fluctuations in the levels of the three steroid sex hormones (Testosterone, Estradiol (E2), and Estrogen) following acute and chronic exposure of adult B. alexandrina snails to the sublethal doses of the tested extract. Regarding biochemical alterations, glucose and total lipids levels increased significantly, while protein and albumin contents decreased following exposure to sublethal concentrations, compared to the control snails. The sublethal concentrations (LC5, LC10, and LC50) of F. hermonis roots methanol extract exerted noticeable DNA damage in B. alexandrina snails, whereas LC10 was the most genotoxic concentration with 18.20±0.09% tailed cells and 10.54±0.58 px tail length. F. hermonis roots methanol extract can be considered a promising biocontrol agent against B. alexandrina snails, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni in Egypt, via interference with the reproduction processes, and subsequently reducing the population size of snails in endemic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Due to various antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds, plants are considered valuable sources. Ferula gummosa Boiss plant is one of the most important species of the Apiaceae family and is scattered in the eastern and western regions of Iran. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss plant gum. Materials and Methods: The levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds and the antioxidant capacity (by the iron reduction and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging methods) were determined in this laboratory study. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated using the disc diffusion method, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration were determined for some bacteria. Data analysis was performed using a factorial experiment within a completely randomized design, and Duncan's multiple range test was used to compare the means. Results: The highest content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids in methanol extract were (53.21±2.43 mg GAE/g dw) and (38.42±1.78 mg QE/g dw), respectively. The highest percentage of free radical scavenging and iron reduction power related to the methanolic extract was 96.43±3.56% and 1.963±0.012 µg/ml, respectively. Antimicrobial activity using the disk diffusion method and the MIC of Bacillus subtilis bacteria in all three extracts showed the most sensitivity compared to other bacteria. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the methanolic extract of the Ferula gummosa Boiss plant had antimicrobial activity, antioxidant potential, and higher phenolic and flavonoid content than the ethanolic and aqueous extracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to investigate how Ferula rigidula extract affected sperm profile, antioxidant parameters, and stereological profile in experimental diabetic rats. Performed on forty-nine male rats. The rats were randomly assigned to control group, diabetic group, diabetic + Ferula rigidula group 1, diabetic + Ferula rigidula group 2, diabetic + glibenclamide group, Ferula rigidula group 1, and Ferula rigidula group 2. While sperm count, motility, antioxidant parameters, testosterone hormone, germinal epithelial volume, and germinal epithelial height decreased in the diabetic group, abnormal sperm count, malondialdehyde level, and lumen volume increased. When Ferula rigidula (extract) was given to diabetic rats, it brought the stereological findings to the same level as the control group. In addition, it was determined that there were improvements in biochemical parameters, approaching the values of the control group. Specifically, when Ferula rigidula extract was administered alone, testosterone levels and stereological findings improved in group 1. In addition, it was determined that there were significant improvements in sperm parameters. However, it was determined that the positive effect of Ferula rigidula extract was very significant at low doses (250 mg/kg) and decreased at high doses (500 mg/kg). As a result, Ferula rigidula extract has an antioxidant role and can be used to alleviate the problems caused by diabetes in the male reproductive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Plants are widely used in traditional medicine because they contain a high concentration of antimicrobial agents, serving as the foundation for medicines. The aim of this study was preliminary identification of phytochemicals and assesses the antimicrobial activity of extracts of Ferula communis root bark. Methods: Plant was collected, and standard qualitative procedures were conducted. The plant samples were extracted with 99.9% methanol and 80% ethanol. To identify phytochemicals found in plants, a preliminary phytochemical analysis was performed. Agar diffusion tests, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were performed to evaluate antibacterial activity. Result: The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the ethanol and methanol extract revealed positive results for flavonoids, coumarins and tannins. Terpenoids and anthraquinones were detected only in the methanol extract. The extract of Ferula communis showed an antibacterial effect on both gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria in a concentration‐dependent manner. The average zone of inhibition for gram‐positive bacteria was 11 mm, whereas for gram‐negative bacteria, it was 9 mm. The MIC and MBC values also varied with the type of bacteria. In all bacterial species tested, the mean MBC value was similar to the MIC. Conclusion: Different phytochemicals were detected in extracts of the root bark of F. communis and extracts showed antibacterial effects in a concentration‐dependent manner. Therefore, further purification and evaluation of the extracts and antioxidant activity of the plant should be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a novel method using Ferula gummosa gums as a capping agent was used to synthesize the nanoceria for the first time. The method was economical and performed at room temperature. Furthermore, it was coated with gold (Au/nanoceria) and fully characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FESEM-EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential (ζ potential). The crystallite size obtained from the results was 28.09 nm for Au/nanoceria. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis of Au/nanoceria revealed the compositional constituents of the product, which display the purity of the Au/nanoceria. The cell toxicity properties of the non-doped and Au-coated nanoceria were identified by a MTT analysis on a breast cancer cell line (MCF7). Additionally, human foreskin fibroblast cells (HFF) were used as a normal cell line. The cytotoxicity results indicated that the toxicological effect of Au/nanoceria on cancer cells was significant while having little toxic effect on normal cells. The toxicity effect of nanoceria clearly shows the dependence on dose and time, so, with increasing the dose of Au/nanoceria, the death of cancer cells also increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ontogenetic peculiarities of the species Silphium perfoliatum L. cv. 'Vital', known as a high-potential melliferous, fodder and energy species, the periods and age stages that the plants go through under the climatic conditions of the Republic of Moldova have been described. The research was carried out in the experimental sectors of the "Alexandru Ciubotaru" National Botanical Garden (Institute), during four growing seasons. In the ontogenetic cycle, 4 ontogenetic periods (latent, pregenerative, generative, postgenerative) and 6 age stages (seed, seedling, juvenile, immature, virginal, senile) were described. The end of the ontogenesis in S. perfoliatum, in the Botanical Garden, has not been recorded yet. The duration of the active growth period varies between 197 and 234 days depending on the weather conditions recorded in the Republic of Moldova and the age of the plants. S. perfoliatum plants are characterized by long flowering stage, being able to provide honeybees and other pollinating insects with pollen and nectar at the end of summer - beginning of autumn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some medical herbs are of universal importance and are becoming extinct due to their countless uses. Today, the use of in vitro culture has increased the speed of production and reproduction of endangered species. The main of this research to determine the best ecotype, the best explant for callus induction, as well as the best level of hormones on traits including length, width, height and the callus volume of the explants obtained from Ferula assa-foetida seedlings that have been grown in in vitro culture. This experiment has been implemented as factorial in completely randomized design with at least 4 replications. According to the purpose, the explants were placed in MS media supplemented with different levels of BAP and NAA. After 40 days, the traits including the length, width and volume of the callus were measured for induced callus. The comparison of the averages showed that the maximum size of target traits have been achieved for root explants cultured medium supplemented with 2 mg.L-1 BAP and 1 mg.L-1 NAA, while none of calluses derived from leaf and stem explants survived. Among the ecotypes, the Kerman demonstrated higher callus growth rate than the Yazd, though this trait intensively increased through the time of culture. In addition, the calluses derived from Isfahan showed low growth rate, so it was removed from the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silphium perfoliatum (cup plant) is native to North America and is increasingly used as a bioenergy crop in Germany. Spontaneous occurrences of this species have already been detected in several European countries. To assess the possible risk to biodiversity by spreading of S. perfoliatum, we investigated the competitiveness of this species against the native and highly competitive Urtica dioica over four years in a field experiment in Bayreuth (Germany). S. perfoliatum grew well among U. dioica, although its biomass was strongly reduced by surrounding U. dioica. Projection area, plant height, and reproductive potential were less or similarly reduced by surrounding U. dioica as by the intraspecific competition. Moreover, S. perfoliatum significantly suppressed the growth of the competitive U. dioica. A settlement and establishment of S. perfoliatum in the native flora of Central Europe and a suppression of uncompetitive plant species are therefore conceivable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For higher sustainability in biomass production the use of new perennial species can lead to sustainable progress in the energy production and manufacturing industry. During the last decades, two different species of Silphium were discussed for biomass production. However, some questions regarding their cultivation and different uses are still to be answered. In this study, two accessions of Silphium perfoliatum L. and Silphium integrifolium Michx. were investigated during the year of establishment, and the first generative year for the phenotypic characteristics and suitability for cultivation, under Central European field conditions. Intra- and interspecific comparisons were made with special attention to their growth kinetics. While cup plant (S. perfoliatum) is well known as a potential biomass crop in Europe, silflower (S. integrifolium) is still unknown. In intraspecific comparison, S. integrifolium shows a more uniform development than S perfoliatum. In parallel, the development of S. perfoliatum accessions is temporally shifted, so that the S. perfoliatum accessions differ in the length of their phases of generative growth and onset of senescence in comparison to S. integrifolium. To make these results applicable, an improvement proposal was made to the existing BBCH scale for S. perfoliatum. In addition, an adaptation was conducted on S. integrifolium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ancient physicians frequently used the resin of Ferula species to treat cancer. Today, some folkloric recipes used for cancer treatment also contain the resin of Ferula species. The dichloromethane extract of the roots of Ferula huber-morathii exhibited cytotoxic activities against COLO 205 (colon), K-562 (lymphoblast), and MCF-7 (breast) cancer cell lines (IC50 = 52 µg/mL, 72 µg/mL, and 20 µg/mL, respectively). Fifteen sesquiterpene coumarin ethers with cytotoxic activity were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of the roots of F. huber-morathii using bioactivity-directed isolation studies. Extensive spectroscopic analyses and chemical transformations have elucidated the structures of these sesquiterpene coumarin ethers as conferone (1), conferol (2), feselol (3), badrakemone (4), mogoltadone (5), farnesiferol A (6), farnesiferol A acetate (7), gummosin (8), ferukrin (9), ferukrin acetate (10), deacetylkellerin (11), kellerin (12), samarcandone (13), samarcandin (14), and samarcandin acetate (15). The absolute configuration of samarcandin (14) was unequivocally determined by the X-ray crystallographic analysis of the semi-synthetic (R)-MTPA ester of samarcandin (24). Conferol (2) and mogoltadone (5) were found to be the most potent cytotoxic compounds against all three cancer cell lines; furthermore, these compounds exhibit low cytotoxic activity against the non-cancerous human umbilical vein epithelial cells (HUVEC) cell line. Investigation of the biological activity mechanisms of mogoltadone (5) revealed that while suppressing the levels of Bcl-XL and procaspase-3 in the COLO 205 cancer cell line, it did not have a significant effect on the Bcl-XL, caspase-3, and β-catenin protein levels of the HUVEC cell line, which may explain the cytotoxic selectivity of mogoltadone (5) on cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferula species have occupied great value in traditional medicine in various countries. The aim of the present paper was to assess for the first time to the phytochemical profile of Ferula tunetana Pomel ex Batt. (F. tunetana) seed and leaf extracts using HPLC-MS/MS, as well as to evaluate their antioxidant and anti- α -amylase activities. Therefore, total phenolic and flavonoid amounts of the studied extracts were determined and 38 compounds were detected and quantified (phenolic acids, flavonoids, non-phenolic acid and stilbenes). In addition of their antioxidant potential against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assays, in vitro and in silico studies were adopted to evaluate α -amylase inhibitory properties of F. tunetana extracts. Ethyl acetate (EtOAc) seed extract showed the highest total phenolic content, antioxidant potential (IC 50 = 19.00 ± 0.37 μg/mL) in terms of free radical scavenging, also for α -amylase inhibition activity with IC 50 values of 17.39 ± 0.92 μg/mL. The molecular docking analysis and the drug-likeness prediction of the major selected compounds explained the significant anti- α -amylase activity of the studied extracts. The obtained analysis and results suggest that F. tunetana extracts could be promising candidates to develop a new generation of efficient and especially safe antidiabetic treatments. [Display omitted] • 38 phytochemicals were quantified in Ferula tunetana extracts by HPLC-MS/MS method. • Total phenolic and flavonoid contents in seed and leaf extracts were estimated. • The studied extracts exhibited good anti- α -amylase and antioxidant activities. • The molecular docking of main components validated the strong antidiabetic effects. • The drug-likeness proprieties of the major compounds were predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirical evidence of the influence of climate on plant–pathogen coevolution is limited but crucial to understand, as anthropogenic pressures including fragmentation and climate change threaten biodiversity. In this study, we tested patterns of plant–pathogen coevolution using Silphium integrifolium Michx., a native tallgrass prairie species that is undergoing domestication, and its foliar pathogens. We collected seeds from four native prairie remnants from each of three regions along an east–west precipitation gradient in central North America and used these to create three common gardens in each region. In common gardens and remnant prairie populations, we measured symptoms of foliar disease (leaf rust and leaf blotch, both caused by fungal pathogens, and Silphium clear vein (SCV), which we have evidence is associated with a virus). While we did not observe greater disease in the East common garden, we did find that on average the East populations had greater resistance to disease than West populations, consistent with an evolutionary legacy of more rapid coevolution with high precipitation. We also found strong interactions between source region and region of planting for all diseases. The Silphium rust, caused by the specialist pathogen Puccinia silphii, was better able to infect plant populations from the same region. These patterns are consistent with local adaptation of specialist pathogens to their local hosts as expected from Red Queen dynamics. For the generalist fungal pathogen driving leaf blotch, we did not observe evidence of local adaptation. However, we observed a positive correlation in the average level of leaf blotch symptoms observed in individual populations in common gardens with the levels of disease in the S. integrifolium individuals in the prairie remnants of origin, consistent with S. integrifolium genetics determining symptoms in the field. Our results are consistent with pathogen ecology being a major driver of coevolutionary dynamics along productivity gradients. As S. integrifolium is being domesticated for oilseed production, our results identify distinct targets for resistance alleles in breeding efforts and can guide pathogen management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to capitalise on the potential of non-traditional plant species in the Republic of Moldova from the families Asteraceae (cup plant Silphium perfoliatum; cardoon Cynara cardunculus), Fabaceae (fodder galega Galega orientalis, sand sainfoin Onobrychis arenaria), Hydrophylaceae (phacelia Phacelia tanacetifolia), Malvaceae (curly mallow Malva crispa; Virginia mallow Sida hermaphrodita) and Poaceae (perennial sorghum Sorghum almum, pearl millet Pennisetum glaucum). The study presents the research results on the seed properties (dimensional parameters, structure, friability, apparent specific mass, mass of 1000 seeds) and on the phytomass quality of the above-mentioned plants. The obtained results demonstrate that the criterion of dimensional proportionality Kdp, proposed in this paper, effectively reflects the structure of the seeds; the seeds of new crops (except phacelia) have high friability (angle of repose α ≤ 33° and angle of static friction on steel α1 ≤ 27.8°, on wood α1 = 34.7°, on enamelled surface α1 = 30°). The natural fodder from the researched species is characterised by a crude protein content of 9.0–23.4%, dry matter digestibility of 56.0–66.5%, digestible energy load of 11.16–12.95 MJ kg−1, metabolizable energy of 9.16–10.63 MJ kg−1, net energy for lactation of 5.18–6.76 MJ kg−1, and relative feed value RFV = 74–129. The biochemical biomethane potential from studied vegetal substrates is 297–353 l kg−1 VS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The Ferula genus encompasses 180–185 species and is one of the largest genera in Apiaceae, with many of Ferula species possessing important medical value. The previous studies provided more information for Ferula, but its infrageneric relationships are still confusing. In addition, its genetic basis of its adaptive evolution remains poorly understood. Plastid genomes with more variable sites have the potential to reconstruct robust phylogeny in plants and investigate the adaptive evolution of plants. Although chloroplast genomes have been reported within the Ferula genus, few studies have been conducted using chloroplast genomes, especially for endemic species in China. Results Comprehensively comparative analyses of 22 newly sequenced and assembled plastomes indicated that these plastomes had highly conserved genome structure, gene number, codon usage, and repeats type and distribution, but varied in plastomes size, GC content, and the SC/IR boundaries. Thirteen mutation hotspot regions were detected and they would serve as the promising DNA barcodes candidates for species identification in Ferula and related genera. Phylogenomic analyses with high supports and resolutions showed that Talassia transiliensis and Soranthus meyeri were nested in the Ferula genus, and thus they should be transferred into the Ferula genus. Our phylogenies also indicated the monophyly of subgenera Sinoferula and subgenera Narthex in Ferula genus. Twelve genes with significant posterior probabilities for codon sites were identified in the positively selective analysis, and their function may relate to the photosystem II, ATP subunit, and NADH dehydrogenase. Most of them might play an important role to help Ferula species adapt to high-temperatures, strong-light, and drought habitats. Conclusion Plastome data is powerful and efficient to improve the support and resolution of the complicated Ferula phylogeny. Twelve genes with significant posterior probabilities for codon sites were helpful for Ferula to adapt to the harsh environment. Overall, our study supplies a new perspective for comprehending the phylogeny and evolution of Ferula.

Abstract 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.

The roots of F. haussknechtii are used by local people in order to treat wounds and urinary infections. Ferula species are rich in bioactive compounds with biological effects. In line with our previous studies about screening antibacterial natural products, five terpenoid derivatives were purified from Ferula haussknechtii. The separation and purification were performed by column chromatography. Their structures were determined by 1 D and 2 D NMR as hawraman 8-p-hydroxybenzoyl-tovarol (1), ferutinin (2), lancerotriol 6-(p-hydroxybenzoate) (3), chimganin (4), and chimgin (5). Then, the antibacterial effects of the purified compounds were evaluated by measuring their MIC values against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results showed that compound (1) had the most antibacterial effect on Bacillus cereus (MIC = 16 µg/mL). The antibacterial effects of F. haussknechtii compounds are in line with their local application and it is suggested that further studies should be conducted to determine their mechanism of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During surveys in 2020 on the Lebanese western slopes of Mount Hermon, we detected Ferula biverticellata J.Thiébaut, which is new to the flora of Lebanon. The species has a distribution extending from Mount Hermon, the Golan, and the Hauran in South Syria to the Negev and Transjordan. We discuss the range of this southern Levantine element, its presence in Lebanon, and its conservation status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvements in seed yield during domestication and breeding are frequently achieved moving plants from the conservative syndrome of the plant economic spectrum towards the more acquisitive side, changing how plants acquire, allocate, use and store C and nutrients in relation to their wild relatives. The aims were to evaluate if domestication changed the N allocation, the internal plant N recycling (N resorption efficiency and proficiency, and N storage) and N‐use‐efficiency, in the perennial new crop Silphium integrifolium. We compared in a field experiment repeated in two locations (Kansas and Patagonia), a Wild (W) and two improved accessions, with high‐ (HYI) and low‐seed yield improved (LYI) accessions. HYI accessions produced more than twice the biomass and acquired twofold more N than LYI and Wild accessions. Changes in proportional N allocation were similar in both improved accessions (HYI and LYI) and locations: higher allocation to leaves and lower to the crown at pre‐anthesis (growth‐storage trade‐off) and higher allocation to seeds and lower to the crown at maturity (reproduction‐storage trade‐off). HYI and LYI allocated 50% more N to seeds in average, reducing a 31% the N allocated to the crown in relation to the Wild. Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and mean residence time (MRT) of N were reduced in both improved accessions. In HYI, the lower MRT was related to the lower storage of N in the crown and N removal through seed production, and in LYI was the result of the N lost through leaf senescence. HYI produced litter with lower N concentration (more proficient) that the wild accession. These could decrease the net N mineralization rate and soil N availability at long term. HYI plants should require higher external N inputs to the soil to sustain their N uptake requirements. LYI and Wild accessions, had lower resorption efficiency, but N recycled was allocated to the crown for future remobilization and uses (better internal cycling). The leaf litter type of these accessions with higher N content should sustain faster N‐cycles rates and N release to the soil. If the focus is on the ecosystem services, HYI accessions could help achieve a reduction in nitrate leaching by maximizing N uptake, N resorption and N removal through seed (i.e. nitrate catch crop), and also produce crop residues that slow down biogeochemical cycling and soil nutrient retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Ferula gummosa Boiss is a well-known Iranian endemic plant that has been used in Iranian traditional medicine against various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic capacity of F. gummosa gum on prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Materials and Methods: In this study, we evaluated the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant potentials of the gum. The MTT experiment was conducted to assess the cytotoxic potential of the gum on PC-3 cells. The clonogenic, micronucleus formation, and acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining methods were used to evaluate the survival and proliferation of PC-3 cells. DNA degradation and caspase 3/7 activity evaluations were used to assess apoptosis. The inhibitory effect on the migration of PC-3 cells was examined by in vitro wound-healing experiment. Results: Total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant potential of the gum were 9.22 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, 3.6 mg of quercetin equivalents (QE)/g of the extract, and 13 μg/ml, respectively (compared to gallic acid and quercetin, respectively) (p<0.05). The IC50 value was 9.14 μg/ml for 48 hours (compared to non-treated cells) (p<0.01). The pattern of DNA degradation, and caspase 3/7 activity levels (compared to nontreated cells) (p<0.05) proposed decreased cell viability that may be due to apoptosis induction. Microscopic observations revealed nuclear condensation, a significant increase in the formation of micronuclei, and inhibition of forming colonies (compared to nontreated cells) (p<0.01) in PC-3 cells treated with 8 and 10 μg/ml of the gum. Wound-healing assessment showed the migration suppression potentials of the gum (compared to non-treated cells) (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results indicate that F. gummosa has considerable antioxidant and cytotoxic properties that can make it a good nominee for subsequent investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: There are few evaluation about the effects of Fennel and Ferula on human polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The goals of this study were to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two medicinal plants of the Apiaceae family (Fennel and Ferula) in management of PCOS. Materials and Methods: The sample size was 47 participants with PCOS who were randomly divided into 3 groups. The Ferula assa-foetida L group received 100 mg of Ferula (n=14), the Foeniculum vulgare group received 46 mg of Fennel (n=15), and the placebo group received placebo twice daily for 3 months (n=14). Results: Before the intervention, there were no significant differences between groups in terms of clinical parameters, endometrial thickness, or ovarian volume. After the interventions, the number of ovarian follicles was decreased in the Ferula and Fennel groups as compared to the placebo group (p<0.05). The number of ovarian follicles in both ovaries in the Ferula and Fennel group decreased and this decrease was significant in the right side as compared to placebo group. Our findings showed significant changes in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DEHAS) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels after the intervention (p<0.03) between the Ferula and Placebo groups. Conclusion: Since use of Ferula could make significant changes in TSH and DEHAS levels and decrease the number of right and left ovarian follicles compared to Fennel and placebo, it can be concluded that this herbal medicine is more effective than Fennel in managing PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article analysis the species composition of the entomofauna of the Kuhistan ferula (Ferula kuhistanica) in different parts of the Zarafshan ridge. The study revealed 115 species of insects belonging to 92 genera, 48 families, and eight orders. The identified species belong to the following orders: Thysanoptera (1 species), Neuroptera (3 species), Homoptera (1 species), Hemiptera (17 species), Coleoptera (36 species), Lepidoptera (5 species), Hymenoptera (14 species) and Diptera (38 species). By the nature of the relationship with the ferula, the entomofauna is divided into six ecological groups. Phytophages, including four ecological groups, accounted for 36.5% (42 species), pollinators 49.6% (57 species) and entomophagous 13.9% (16 species). A comparative analysis of the diversity of entomofauna in different parts of the Zeravshan Range was carried out, and a dendrogram of the similarity of the entomofauna of the studied territories was compiled. The horizontal and vertical isolation of the entomofauna was revealed. The most peculiar in the composition is the entomocomplex of ferula on the highest site of Saridukon. The daily activity of pollinating insects was analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferula ferulaeoides (Steud.) Korov is one of the traditional ethnic medicines in Xinjiang Uygur and Kazakh of China, which mainly contains volatile oils, terpenoids, coumarins and other chemical components. Previous work has shown that F. ferulaeoides exhibited insecticide, antibacterial, antitumor properties, and so on. In this paper, the chemical composition, pharmacological activity, and quality control of F. ferulaeoides were reviewed, and the application of F. ferulaeoides in the food industry was explored, so as to provide some reference for the quality evaluation of F. ferulaeoides and its further development and utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals like cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), resulting from anthropogenic activities, are elements with high persistence in nature, being able to accumulate in soils, water, and plants with significant impact to human and animal health. This study investigates the phytoremediation capacity of Silphium perfoliatum L. as a specific heavy metal hyperaccumulator and the effects of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb on some physiological and biochemical indices by growing plants under floating hydroponic systems in nutrient solutions under the presence of heavy metals. One-year-old plants of S. perfoliatum grown for 20 days in Hoagland solution with the addition of (ppm) Cu-400, Zn-1200, Cd-20, Pb-400, and Cu+Zn+Cd+Pb (400/1200/20/400) were investigated with respect to the control. The level of phytoremediation, manifested by the ability of heavy metal absorption and accumulation, was assessed. In addition, the impact of stress on the proline content, photosynthetic pigments, and enzymatic activity, as being key components of metabolism, was determined. The obtained results revealed a good absorption and selective accumulation capacity of S. perfoliatum plants for the studied heavy metals. Therefore, Cu and Zn mainly accumulate in the stems, Cd in the roots and stems, while Pb mainly accumulates in the roots. The proline tended to increase under stress conditions, depending on the pollutant and its concentration, with higher values in leaves and stems under the associated stress of the four metals and individually for Pb and Cd. In addition, the enzymatic activity recorded different values depending on the plant organ, its type, and the metal concentration on its substrate. The obtained results indicate a strong correlation between the metal type, concentration, and the mechanisms of absorption/accumulation of S. perfoliatum species, as well as the specific reactions of metabolic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Smooth muscle contraction and enlargement of the prostate are important targets for the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The effect of Ferula elaeochytris (FE) root extract on tissues that play a role on fertility such as the prostate has not been demonstrated yet. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of FE extract on isolated rat prostate tissue induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in vitro. Methods: In this experimental study, 48 male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 8). Groups were consisting FE (20 µl), FE + Adenosine triphosphate (ATP; 50 µM), FE + prazosin (0.3 µM), FE + Calcium (Ca2+; 3 mM and 6 mM), FE + suramin (100 µM), FE + phenylephrine and FE + carbachol. Result: In our study, FE extract inhibited the neurogenic contractions induced by EFS on isolated rat anterior prostate tissue. The presence of suramin and prazosin were not significantly increase the inhibition caused by the FE extract, while Ca2+ and ATP significantly increased the inhibition by the FE extract. (p<0.05). In addition, FE extract significantly inhibited phenylephrine and carbachol contractions (p<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the impregnation of a 3% solution of a mixture of medicinal aromatic plant extract, borax, and ferula plant extract on wood of eastern spruce (Picea orientalis L. (Link)) and mahogany were carried out and the changes in the anatomical structure of the impregnated wood were determined. Through obtaining extracts of various medicinal aromatic plants (ferula) and dual treatment with borax, the anatomical properties of wood material were examined and the related adhesion scale was determined. The highest retention (retention) was in mahogany wood borax (1.86%), and the lowest retention was again in mahogany wood ferula extract (0.31%). Both wood types demonstrated improved outcomes in comparison to the control sample when the air-dry and fully-dry specific gravity changes were investigated. The maximum air-dried specific gravity value was found in mahogany at 3% borax and ferula + borax (0.56 g/cm3), and the lowest at 3% ferula and borax (0.37 g/cm3). Mahogany wood with 3% borax had the greatest full dry specific gravity value (0.54 g/cm3), and spruce wood with 3% ferula and ferula + borax had the lowest (0.35 g/cm3). There was no retention in the tracheid and trachea cells that perform the transmission function. Because the sapphire cells are the cells that act as storage, adhesion has occurred in these cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the title compound, C20H26O5, the two cyclohexane rings adopt boat and halfchair conformations. In the crystal, adjacent molecules are connected by intermolecular C-H...O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network. According to a Hirshfeld surface study, H...H interactions are the most significant contributors to the crystal packing (63.0%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The current investigation was conducted with the aim to elucidate and determine the anti-cancer efficacy in vitro on colon carcinoma human cell lines and to determine its probable mode of action. Methods: Anti-proliferative and apoptotic effect of various doses of essential oil from Ferula asafoetida was investigated on colon cancer cell lines i.e. CW620 and CT26. WT. The percentage cytotoxicity was determined by MTT assay. In addition, expression studies were carried out to determine the mode of action by determining the levels of NF-kB, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta and Caspases. Results: The potent anti-proliferative activity has been observed in both the cell lines. The percentage cytotoxicity is directly proportional to the increasing concentration of the essential oil. The same was also confirmed in the expression studies which shows significant upregulation of the antiapoptotic characteristics and down regulation of pro-carcinogenic factors. Conclusion: The essential oil shows potent anti-cancer activity and shows the role in gene regulation to attenuate the colon cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]