Search

ABSTRACT Asafoetida is an oleo–gum‐resin mainly obtained from Ferula foetida in eastern Iran, which is employed for the treatment of stomachaches, acid reflux, nervous system disorders and respiratory diseases. Asafoetida has attracted the attention of researchers due to its sulfide compounds and their proven effects on respiratory illnesses. In this study, the shelf stability of supplement of F. foetida's oleo–gum‐resin by quantifying two key sulfide compounds including E/Z‐sec‐butyl propenyl disulfane and E/Z‐(methylthio)propyl 1‐propenyl disulfane was evaluated by 1H NMR (qH NMR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The similar results were obtained in both qH NMR and GC–MS methods. The qH NMR method showed good linearity in the ranges of 2–12 mg/mL for E/Z‐sec‐butyl propenyl disulfane and 2.2–17 mg/mL for E/Z‐(methylthio) propyl 1‐propenyl disulfane with a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and acceptable stability (RSD% ≤ 2.72%) for the quantification of the compounds. Therefore, despite the volatility of disulfide compounds and according to the results, the qH NMR method could be considered adequate method for quantifying these compounds in supplements containing the volatile components that requires extra extraction steps before analyses by other method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the essential oil composition, antioxidant activities, phenolic and flavonoid contents, and of metanolic extract of Iranian and Afghanestanian populations of Ferula assa -foetida were evaluated. Essential oils were analyzed by using GC and GC/MS, The antioxidant activity were measured by 2, 2 -diphenyl - 1 -picrylhydrazyl and β - carotene/linoleic acid assay, also phenol and flavonoid content were measured by gallic acid and quercetin as standard compound. Result showed that propenyl sec butyl disulfide (42.72%), acetone, dimethyl mercaptole (14.84%) and gamma - eudesmol (8.6%) were the main compouned found in the Iranian population while; the Afghanestanian population were rich of propenyl sec butyl disulfide (39.61%), acetone, dimethyl mercaptole (18.25%) and 8 -ethyl -pentathiadecane (18.97%). In DPPH and β -carotene/linoleic acid tests, Iranian and Afghanestanian populations have stronger antioxidant activity respectively, also, the results demonstrated that the Afghanestanian population have more phenolic and flavonoid contents than the Iranian population. Overall, the results showed that the two populations investigated in this research have differences in terms of the type and percentage of essential oil compounds, antioxidant activity and phenol and flavonoid content. These differences are probably caused by differences in ecological factors such as the habitats of these populations and the influence of these factors on the studied parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our review paper evaluates the impact of plant-based products, primarily derived from plants from Serbia, on P-glycoprotein (P-gp) activity and their potential in modulating drug resistance in cancer therapy. We focus on the role and regulation of P-gp in cellular physiology and its significance in addressing multidrug resistance in cancer therapy. Additionally, we discuss the modulation of P-gp activity by 55 natural product drugs, including derivatives for some of them, based on our team's research findings since 2011. Specifically, we prospect into sesquiterpenoids from the genera Artemisia, Curcuma, Ferula, Inula, Petasites, and Celastrus; diterpenoids from the genera Salvia and Euphorbia; chalcones from the genera Piper, Glycyrrhiza, Cullen, Artemisia, and Humulus; riccardins from the genera Lunularia, Monoclea, Dumortiera, Plagiochila, and Primula; and diarylheptanoids from the genera Alnus and Curcuma. Through comprehensive analysis, we aim to highlight the potential of natural products mainly identified in plants from Serbia in influencing P-gp activity and overcoming drug resistance in cancer therapy, while also providing insights into future perspectives in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Medicinal plants have effectively treated Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, the oleo-gum-resin of Ferula persica known as sagapenum was selected to investigate its inhibitory activity toward enzymes involved in the creation and progression of AD. Also, the phytochemical analysis, which was not previously reported in the literature, was conducted. Methods: The in vitro inhibitory activity of dichloromethane, methanol, and aqueous extracts was investigated toward acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) according to the modified Ellman’s method. Moreover, the phytochemical analysis of the most potent extract was conducted using different column chromatography techniques. Results: The dichloromethane extract showed selective BuChE inhibitory activity (IC50 = 23.41 µg/mL), compared with donepezil as the reference drug (IC50 = 1.97 µg/mL). Phytochemical analysis of the related extract led to the isolation and identification of aurapten, farnesiferol A, umbelliprenin, farnesiferol C, farnesiferone A, karatavicinol, ferocaulidin, and ligupersin A, which were assayed toward cholinesterases (ChEs). Farnesiferol A was the most potent and selective inhibitor of BuChE (IC50 = 31.46 µg/mL). Moreover, it showed good β-secretase 1 (BACE1) inhibitory activity (IC50 = 5.14 µM), compared with the positive control, OM99-2 (IC50 = 0.014 µM) to be considered a multi-target directed ligand against AD. Conclusions: Selective anti-BuChE activity of the dichloromethane extract of sagapenum, as well as farnesiferol A and its good anti-BACE1 activity, may play a significant role in the development of anti-AD supplements.

Thalassochory, the dispersal of propagules through marine currents, is a key long‐distance dispersal (LDD) mechanism with implications for global biogeography and particularly for island colonization. The propagules of coastal plant species are generally assumed to be better adapted for sea dispersal than those of inland plants, but this hypothesis remains largely untested.We conducted experiments on four genera (Juniperus, Daucus, Ferula, and Pancratium) and compared traits among nine species with different habitats and distributions.Our results showed that Juniperus spp. and P. maritimum have strong thalassochorous potential within the Mediterranean Basin. Interestingly, we did not find a clear association on the thalassochorous potential of coastal versus inland species within all the tested genera, apart from P. maritimum compared with the endemic inland P. illyricum.These findings suggest that thalassochory may be a more common dispersal mechanism than previously assumed. The apparently weak link of dispersal syndrome with species ecology broadens the possibility of dispersal by the sea also for inland plants, although considered to be poorly salt‐tolerant. Moreover, our results reveal significant differences in sea dispersal between endemic and widespread species, but do not rule out an important role of thalassochory in shaping the distribution patterns of archipelago endemic flora. The presented method is largely replicable and could be used for further studies with a larger set of species to better delineate trends of sea dispersal syndrome among species with different ecology or dispersal traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, we employed a microwave-assisted green synthesis method utilizing extracts from Cistus salviifolius L. and Ferula communis L. to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Subsequently, we characterized the biosynthesized AgNPs, both Cs-AgNPs (derived from C. salviifolius) and Fc-AgNPs (derived from F. communis), through UV-Vis, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and TEM analyses. The AgNPs exhibited a spherical shape with sizes averaging below 11 nm. To assess their antioxidant activity, we employed the DPPH method. Furthermore, we examined the antimicrobial potential of Cs-AgNPs and Fc-AgNPs against pathogenic bacterial strains, including Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli, using the disc diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration. Additionally, we evaluated the cytotoxic effects of Cs-AgNPs and Fc-AgNPs on various cell lines, namely breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), colon carcinoma (HT-29), human keratinocytes (HaCaT), and embryonic kidney (HEK-293), employing the Alamar Blue assay. Our findings indicate that the biosynthesized Cs-AgNPs and Fc-AgNPs possess antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activities. Therefore, the current study suggests that Cs-AgNPs and Fc-AgNPs exhibit potential for treating cancer and diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Under the shortage of roughage resources in China, Silphium perfoliatum L. (SP) can be an ideal roughage choice for ruminants and has good application prospects. Ensiling is an efficient forage treatment technology for retaining the nutrients and extending the shelf life of forage. At present, there have been no reports on the effects of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus buchneri, whether alone or in combination, on Silphium perfoliatum L. silage. Therefore, in this experiment, L. plantarum and L. buchneri were added individually or combined to SP-silage to investigate the effects of different fermentation types of Lactobacilli on the fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility, and aerobic stability of SP-silage. It was found that a mixture of L. plantarum and L. buchneri provided the best silage results. L. buchneri can be used as an additive to improve the aerobic stability of SP-silage. The results of our research provide a certain scientific basis and technical support for obtaining high-quality SP-silage in production. In this experiment, Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus buchneri were added individually or in combination to Silphium perfoliatum L. (SP) silage to investigate the effects of different fermentation types of lactobacilli on the fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility, and aerobic stability of SP-silage, with a view to providing a certain scientific basis and technical support for obtaining high-quality SP-silage in production. The experiment comprised a non-additive group (control), an L. plantarum group (LP), an L. buchneri group (LB), and an L. plantarum and L. buchneri mixed treatment group (LPLB). Samples were taken after 60 days of fermentation and analyzed for the fermentation quality, in vitro digestibility, and aerobic stability of the SP-silage. The results showed that the addition of LP, LB, and LPLB significantly reduced the pH and proportion of ammonia nitrogen to total nitrogen and significantly increased the lactic acid, in vitro dry matter digestibility, and in vitro crude protein digestibility in the SP-silage (p < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the dry matter and crude protein contents of the LB and LPLB groups were significantly increased, while the neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber contents were significantly reduced (p < 0.05). The SP-silage supplemented with LPLB had the highest dry matter and crude protein contents. The gross and digestible energies of the SP-silage in the LB and LPLB groups were significantly higher than those in the control and LP groups (p < 0.05). The aerobic stability of the SP-silage was significantly reduced by 24.14% in the LP group and increased by 58.62% and 34.48% in the LB and LPLB groups, respectively, compared to the control group (p < 0.05). It was shown that adding a combination of LP and LB resulted in the best fermentation quality, nutritional value, and in vitro digestibility of the SP-silage. LB was effective in improving the aerobic stability of SP-silage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The compositions of the essential oil and benzine fraction (F-1) of the EtOH extract of gum resin and starting gum resin of Ferula tadshikorum were studied using GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy. The main chemical constituents of these samples were shown to be a mixture of cis- and trans-1-propenyl 1-(methylthio)propyl disulfides with the cis-isomer quantitatively exceeding the trans-isomer in all samples. The results allowed GC-MS and NMR spectroscopy to be used to select the optimal method for extracting resins from F. tadshikorum to produce a giardicidal drug with reactive S-containing compounds and to standardize the resin extracted from F. tadshikorum collected in Uzbekistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silphium integrifolium Michx. (silflower), a perennial plant, is of great interest as a potential new oilseed crop due to its long, strong, deep, extensive root systems, which can prevent erosion, capture dissolved nitrogen, and out‐compete weeds eliminating the need for frequent irrigation and herbicide uses. In this study, oil was extracted from unhulled silflower seeds, and its composition and oxidative stability were evaluated. The oil content in unhulled silflower seeds was 15.2% (wt/wt), and its fatty acid composition was similar to that of sunflower oil. The level of total polar compounds (TPC) in the oil was 12.3% (wt/wt), and the content of total phenolics was 1.12 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g oil. Noteworthily, 4.89% squalene was isolated from silflower oil indicating its potential application as an alternative source of squalene. Silflower oil had lower oxidative stability as indicated by the oxidative stability index (OSI) at 110°C and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), presumably due to its high level of chlorophyll (1002.8 mg/kg). Even after a typical refining process involving degumming, alkali refining, and bleaching with Fuller's earth, silflower oil contained 725.5 mg/kg chlorophyll, and its oxidative stability was not improved. Further treatments with bleaching agents including bentonite, sepiolite, and Tonsil® lowered the chlorophyll level to 4.2, 474.5, and 38.5 mg/kg, respectively, and some aspects of oxidative stability were improved and better than those of refined sunflower oil. This study presents the potential of silflower oil as new edible oil and a great plant source of squalene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 1,348 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from Ferula ovina, F. galbaniflua, and F. persica. They included Eurotiales (16 species), Pleosporales (11 species), Botryosphaeriales (1 species), Cladosporiales (2 species), Helotiales (6 species), Hypocreales (31 species), Sordariales (7 species), Glomerellales (2 species), and Polyporales (1 species). F. ovina had the richest species composition of endophytic fungi, and the endophytic fungi were most abundant in their roots compared to shoots. Chao, Margalef, Shannon, Simpson, Berger--Parker, Menhinick, and Camargo indices showed that F. ovina roots had the most endophytic fungal species. The frequency distribution of fungal species isolated from Ferula spp. fell into the log-series model, and F. ovina roots had the highest Fisher alpha. The dominance indices showed that there are no dominant species in the endophytic fungal community isolated from Ferula spp., indicating community stability. Evenness values were 0.69, 0.90, 0.94, and 0.57 for endophytic fungi isolated from F. ovina roots, F. ovina shoots, F. galbaniflua roots, and F. persica roots, respectively, indicating a species distribution that tends toward evenness. The fungal species community isolated from each of F. ovina roots, F. ovina shoots, F. galbaniflua roots, and F. persica roots was a diverse species group originating from a homogeneous habitat. Their distribution followed a log-normal distribution, suggesting that the interactions of numerous independent environmental factors multiplicatively control species abundances. Principal component analysis showed that the highest species diversity and dominance were observed in the endophytic fungal community isolated from F. ovina and F. persica roots, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite exhibiting intriguing features associated with its multipurpose applications and drought tolerance, Ferula communis remains a wild and uncultivated species, with limited experimental research on its biology, starting from seed germination and extending to its ecology. The purpose of this study was to investigate potential germination and kinetics in F. communis seeds in response to four cold stratification periods (0, 15, 45, and 90 days at a constant temperature of 5 °C) and four temperatures (5, 10, 15, and 20 °C) under continuous darkness. F. communis exhibited a pronounced germination potential exceeding 90%, with the optimal temperature for germination falling within the range of 5 °C to 15 °C, without necessitating cold stratification. A dramatic drop of the germination percentage was observed at 20 °C (<10%), suggesting a form of conditional dormancy attributed to the higher temperature tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) is a key enzyme regulating the biosynthesis of the compounds of the phenylpropanoid pathway. This study aimed to isolate and characterize PAL genes from Ferula pseudalliacea Rech.f. (Apiales: Apiaceae) to better understand the regulation of metabolite production. Three PAL gene isoforms (FpPAL1-3) were identified and cloned using the 3′-RACE technique and confirmed by sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis revealed important structural features, such as phosphorylation sites, physicochemical properties, and evolutionary relationships. Expression analysis by qPCR demonstrated the differential transcription profiles of each FpPAL isoform across roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds. FpPAL1 showed the highest expression in stems, FpPAL2 in roots and flowers, and FpPAL3 in flowers. The presence of three isoforms of PAL in F. pseudalliacea, along with the diversity of PAL genes and their tissue-specific expression profiles, suggests that complex modes of regulation exist for phenylpropanoid biosynthesis in this important medicinal plant. The predicted interaction network revealed associations with key metabolic pathways, emphasizing the multifaceted roles of these PAL genes. In silico biochemical analyses revealed the hydrophilicity of the FpPAL isozyme; however, further analysis of substrate specificity and enzyme kinetics can clarify the specific role of each FpPAL isozyme. These comprehensive results increase the understanding of PAL genes in F. pseudalliacea, helping to characterize their contributions to secondary metabolite biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia is the property of Sociedad Hispano-Luso-Americana de Lepidopterologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Postprandial hyperglycemia is considered an early sign of diabetes. Enzyme inhibitors, such as α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitors, are currently being studied as potential drugs for preventing postprandial hyperglycemia. Methods: In this study, we investigated the effects of four purified 7-hydroxycoumarine derivatives from Ferula assafoetida: umbelliprenin, farnesiferol A, farnesiferol C, and samarcandin. We evaluated cell toxicity using the MTT method and also examined glucose uptake and inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes in vitro. Additionally, we conducted a molecular docking study to investigate the mechanism of enzyme inhibition. Results: The cell toxicity of the terpenoid coumarin derivatives (umbelliprenin, farnesiferol A, farnesiferol C, and samarcandin) on HepG2 cells was found to be approximately 28 to 37 µg/ml. The glucose uptake assay showed that these compounds (at a concentration of 25 µg/ml) were able to increase glucose consumption by HepG2 cells to a level comparable to that of the positive control (metformin at 50 µg/ml). Furthermore, umbelliprenin significantly inhibited the activity of α-amylase and α-glucosidase (by 35.07% and 4.98%, respectively). Molecular docking results indicated that umbelliprenin, with a farnesyl chain, had a more potent inhibitory effect. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that umbelliprenin may be a valuable compound for controlling postprandial hyperglycemia and diabetes. However, further in vivo studies and clinical trials are necessary to validate these effects. While this research offers potential for the development of more effective compounds with coumarin structures, further studies are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preservation of post-harvest storage products, such as grains and rice, is often plagued by insect pests, with the rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) standing out as important. This study evaluates the efficacy of spice extracts of Syzygium aromaticum, Trigonella foenum-graecum and Ferula assa-foetida against S. oryzae at varying concentrations. Extracts exhibited toxicity that inhibited egg development and larval progression, with deformations observed at lower concentrations leading to larval death at higher concentrations. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of insect α-amylase activity revealed significant decreased activity with prolonged exposure. The study demonstrated increasing mortality rates with the combined spice extracts displaying the highest efficacy followed by S. aromaticum, T. foenum-graecum, and F. assa-foetida extracts, indicating promising insecticidal activity against S. oryzae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of Ferula communis L. on growth performance, relative organ weights, tissue and serum oxidative status, and biochemical and histopathological changes in rats exposed to continuous light. Rats exposed to continuous light for 10 days were given F. communis orally. Daily body weight was recorded, and rats were euthanized by cervical dislocation. Blood was collected to determine relative organ weights, followed by immediate biochemical and histopathological analysis of the organs. Serum and tissue oxidative status were measured. Continuous light exposure in rats resulted in weight loss, decreased ovary, uterus, and kidney weights, diminished total antioxidant status (TAS) along with increased cortisol, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index. However, F. communis treatment reduced serum cortisol concentration and alleviated oxidative stress by increasing TAS even under prolonged light exposure conditions. Neither continuous light exposure nor F. communis treatment caused significant changes in malondialdehyde and glutathione in organ tissues. Although continuous light caused an increase in the number of cystic follicles, F. communis treatment did not seem to have a positive effect on cystic follicle formation. In conclusion, continuous light exposure stressed the rats and increased cortisol, as well as stimulated oxidative stress and cystic follicle formation. F. communis treatment can help alleviate the harmful effects of constant light exposure.

This study aimed to optimize the composition of a liquid medium for Mycoplasma gallisepticum growth rate and density through statistical approach. The growth concentration of M. gallisepticum was determined by plotting a standard curve using Real-Time Quantitative PCR. The one-factor-at-a-time method and the Plakett-Burman design were initially applied to identify the factors that influenced the biomass of M. gallisepticum. The steepest ascent experiment and response surface methodology (RSM) with Box-Behnken design was employed to simultaneously assess the effects of multiple factors. Finally, optimization of the initial pH and validation of the model were done. The optimum concentrations of the critical components were obtained as follows: 203.96 mL/L of horse serum, 9.64 g/L of glucose, and 9.49 g/L of PPLO broth. The nucleic acid copy number of M. gallisepticum reached 1010.5147 copies/mL and the viable cell count reached a maximum of 109.8451 CCU/mL. This medium reduced the incubation time by approximately 6 h, and M. gallisepticum nucleic acid concentration and viable cell count were higher than those in the modified Frey medium (9.99 and 7 times, respectively). The new liquid medium is likely to improve productivity and reduce the production costs for vaccine-manufacturing companies in the future by reducing incubation times and increasing the growth rate and concentration of M. gallisepticum.

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of Ferula communis L. on growth performance, relative organ weights, tissue and serum oxidative status, and biochemical and histopathological changes in rats exposed to continuous light. Rats exposed to continuous light for 10 days were given F. communis orally. Daily body weight was recorded, and rats were euthanized by cervical dislocation. Blood was collected to determine relative organ weights, followed by immediate biochemical and histopathological analysis of the organs. Serum and tissue oxidative status were measured. Continuous light exposure in rats resulted in weight loss, decreased ovary, uterus, and kidney weights, diminished total antioxidant status (TAS) along with increased cortisol, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index. However, F. communis treatment reduced serum cortisol concentration and alleviated oxidative stress by increasing TAS even under prolonged light exposure conditions. Neither continuous light exposure nor F. communis treatment caused significant changes in malondialdehyde and glutathione in organ tissues. Although continuous light caused an increase in the number of cystic follicles, F. communis treatment did not seem to have a positive effect on cystic follicle formation. In conclusion, continuous light exposure stressed the rats and increased cortisol, as well as stimulated oxidative stress and cystic follicle formation. F. communis treatment can help alleviate the harmful effects of constant light exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, the current chemical agents used for the management of pain cause numerous complications. They are associated with the occurrence of disorders in the digestive system, damage to the kidney, or addiction, which has prompted individuals to seek novel drugs that, apart from removing the side effects, are cost-effective and available. The present in vivo survey aimed to assess the antinociceptive and antiinflammatory activity of Ferula elaeochytris Korovin methanolic extract (FEME) in male Swiss mice. After obtaining the methanolic extract through the maceration process, the antinociceptive efficacy of FEME at doses of 25 to 100 mg/kg was assessed by the tail-flick, hot-plate, and formalin tests. Moreover, anti-inflammatory evaluation was performed using the Carrageenan-induced paw edema model. It was found that in the tail-flick and hot plate test, FEME, mainly at the dose of 100 mg/kg, significantly reduced the latency time and increased the time of the observance of licking or jumping, in comparison to normal saline (P<0.001). We reported that FEME at 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly decreased pain behaviors in acute and chronic phases in comparison to normal saline (P<0.001). FEME significantly declined paw edema in a dose- and time-dependent response (P<0.05); therefore, a significant difference was observed in paw edema, followed by treatment with FEME at 50 and 100 mg/kg (P<0.001). To conclude, this study reported the potent analgesic and inflammatory effects of FEME in controlling peripheral and central pain. Nonetheless, additional experiments are mandatory to clarify the accurate mechanisms of action of this plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although giant fennel is recognized as a "superfood" rich in phytochemicals with antioxidant activity, research into the antibacterial properties of its fruits has been relatively limited, compared to studies involving the root and aerial parts of the plant. In this study, seven solvents—acetone, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform, water, and hexane—were used to extract the chemical constituents of the fruit of giant fennel (Ferula communis), a species of flowering plant in the carrot family Apiaceae. Specific attributes of these extracts were investigated using in silico simulations and in vitro bioassays. High-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a diode-array detector (HPLC–DAD) identified 15 compounds in giant fennel extract, with p-coumaric acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, sinapic acid, and syringic acid being dominant. Among the solvents tested, ethanol demonstrated superior antioxidant activity and phenolic and flavonoid contents. F. communis extracts showed advanced inhibition of gram-negative pathogens (Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis) and variable antifungal activity against tested strains. Molecular docking simulations assessed the antioxidative, antibacterial, and antifungal properties of F. communis, facilitating innovative therapeutic development through predicted compound–protein interactions. In conclusion, the results validate the ethnomedicinal use and potential of F. communis. This highlights its significance in natural product research and ethnopharmacology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myoglobinuric acute renal failure (MARF) is a structural and functional disorder that occurs in the kidney following the release of muscle cell contents into the circulation. In this present study, possible protective and curative effects of Ferula elaeochytris extract against kidney and liver damage in experimentally induced MARF in a rat model were investigated. 3–4 Month-old, 200–250 g Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 8 equal groups with 7 rats per group. Group I was a no-intervention Control group. All groups except for the Group I were dehydrated for 16 hours. Following this dehydration, 50% v/v aqueous glycerol solution was injected into both hind leg muscles of the animals, at a dose of 8 ml/kg. The rats were given physiological saline (SF) once orally before the model was administered (Group II) and after the model was administered (Group V). Similarly, two different doses of Ferula elaeochytris root extract (40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg) were dissolved in 2 ml of SF and administered orally before (Groups III and IV) and after (Group VI, VII) the model was created. Following the experimental period, kidney and liver tissues were removed from all groups, and fixed in 10% neutral formaldehyde solution for light microscopic examinations. Intracellular vacuolization, enlargement in the Bowman's space, widespread atrophy in the tubular structures, luminal enlargement, and desquamation were detected in the kidney tissue sections of all the experimental model groups. In the liver tissue sections, was detected hepatocyte degeneration, intracellular vacuolization, irregularity in cell membrane borders, and apoptotic bodies. These histopathological consequences of MARF were evaluated for all groups, and whereas a curative effect of Ferula elaeochytris could be seen, its protective effect was higher than its curative effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial grains have been proposed as a soil-healthy alternative to annual grains. Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium), whose seed is currently sold under the trade name Kernza®, and silflower (Silphium integrifolium), which is in the early stages of domestication at The Land Institute in Central Kansas, lack characterization for their deficiency symptoms. This has complicated attempts to assess the causes of visible stress on plants in the field and the greenhouse. By growing Th. intermedium and S. integrifolium in a set of hydroponic solutions, each containing all but one selected nutrient—including nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, boron, zinc, copper, molybdenum, and manganese—we were able to assess the effects of twelve different nutrient deficiencies across the two species. Visible symptoms were described and documented via photographs. The effects of the deficiencies on height, leaf biomass, root biomass, gas exchange and photosynthesis (silflower), and resin production (silflower) were measured. Calcium, nitrogen, and potassium were found to alter growth responses in intermediate wheatgrass; in silflower, growth, resin production, and photosynthetic traits were affected by many nutrient deficient treatments. Our results suggest that further work addressing how symptoms might look at the time of flowering, seed production, and in the field at different concentrations of key nutrients would help ongoing plant-breeding efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the development of methods to increase the shelf life and safety of food products, the economic loss caused by food spoilage is still considered one of the main challenges of food industry. Due to the culture of the use of natural products and functional foods, the consumer's desire for natural products with extended shelf life has increased. Phenolic compounds, like many bioactive compounds, gradually become inactive and usually cause a bitter taste in food. Microliposome is one of the effective solutions to increase the stability and reduce the unpleasant taste of bioactive compounds. In this research, the Ferula leaves was extracted with ethanol and its phenolic and flavonoid properties were determined. Then, the antioxidant properties of the extract were determined by DPPH and β-carotene/linoleic acid assay at different concentration (400, 800, 1600 and 3200 PPM). Then it was added to beef burger in the form of liposomes and the oxidative, microbial and sensory characteristics and the release rate of phenolic compounds in beef burger were investigated over two weeks’ storage. The results showed that the total phenolic and flavonoid content of the Ferula leaves extract was 270.67 ± 5.8 mgGA/ g extract and 160.81±5.65 mg Quercetin/g extract, respectively. With the increase in the concentration of Ferula extract, the DPPH radical inhibition increases from 33.73 to 84.42% and β-carotene-linoleic acid from 32.56 to 74.90% at 400 to 3200 PPM. The results obtained on the shelf life of beef burger showed that the highest microbial growth and lipid oxidation were observed in the control, and the lowest one was observed in the sample containing 3200 PPM Ferula extract. Based on the oxidation test and sensory evaluation, adding microliposome of Ferula leaves extract at 1600 PPM can significantly increase the shelf life of beef burger in the refrigerator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferula latisecta belongs to the Ferula genus and is endemic to Iran. The present study aims to extract the essential oil of F. latisecta oleo-gum-resin for the first time and evaluate its phytochemistry and antimicrobial activity. The essential oil was extracted using a Clevenger-type hydrodistillation apparatus. The essential oil constituents were identified and quantified using GC and GC/MS methods. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil was assayed against two Gram-negative bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-positive bacterium, Staphylococcus aureus, and a fungal strain, Candida krusei using the broth microdilution method to determine MIC and MBC values. The results showed that the essential oil was rich in β- and α-pinene with 30.72% and 25.07% content, respectively. Additionally, the essential oil contained a significant amount of sulfur-containing compounds (7.49%) such as (E)-sec-butyl propenyl disulfide (4.21%), (Z)-sec-butyl propenyl disulfide (2.34%), and hexamethylene sulfide (0.94%). According to the results, the essential oil exhibited high inhibitory activity against C. krusei fungi, with MIC and MBC values of 2 μg/mL, which were more potent than amphotericin B (MIC: 8 and MBC: 32 μg/mL), as a standard antifungal agent. Additionally, the essential oil showed significant antibacterial activity against A. baumannii, with MIC and MBC values of 32 μg/mL, which were more potent than cefixime. Furthermore, the essential oil exhibited moderate activity against S. aureus with MIC and MBC values of 16 μg/mL. This study introduces a new oleo-gum resin from F. latisecta, with a high content of terpenoids and strong antimicrobial potency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant responses to multiple environmental conditions in the habitat are characterized by intra-species variety. Ferula assa-foetida L. is a native medical plant in Iran, which has a wide range of therapeutic and pharmacological properties. The objective of the current study was to identify changes in phenolic content, antioxidant capacity and essential oil (EO) composition in different tissues (leaf, flower and fruit) of three populations of F. assa-foetida L. (Sarbisheh, Nehbandan, located in South Khorasan province of Iran). The results showed that total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity in the leaves of Sarbisheh were higher than in other treatments. The amount of TPC, TFC and DPPH scavenging activity in leaves was higher than in other tissues in the Sarbisheh population, increasing by 31 and 70%, 41 and 20%, 8 and 13%, respectively, over that of flowers and fruits. The main EO compounds of leaves were α -pinene (11.86–13.56%), β -pinene (6.80–7.99%), bornyl acetate (15.80–17.33%). The main EO constitutes of flowers were Z-propenyl-sec-butyldisulfide (10.12–12.4%), eco-fenchyl acetate (10.87–12.4%), myrcisticin (13.43–15.87%) and α -bisabolol (11.23–13.76%). The primary compounds of fruit EO were β -pinene (9.32–11.26%), (Z)-1-propenyl sec butyldisulf (17.54–18.87%) and (E)-1-propenyl sec butyldisulf (28.32–30.02%). The agglomerative hierarchical clustering showed that three distinguished clusters were identified for population, where Nehbandan and Qaen had the higher similarity and Sarbisheh completely differed from the two ones. Different plant tissues contain varying types of chemicals, with leaves exhibiting higher levels of phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. This characteristic can be beneficial for industries such as food and pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural bioactive compounds, which occur in aromatic plants, are now more widely recognized. The aromatic plant family Apiaceae, which has various bioactivities and chemical compositions, includes Ferula communis L. The authors planned frequent field expeditions to two locations where Ferula communis L. grows, Hassat Al-Dab and Almotadal, which are close to the Al Ula Government in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The flowers of Ferula communis L. were cut and dried for hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. During the flowering season of Ferula communis L., some insects were found dead on the flowers; Simosyrphus aegyptius, Colletes latreille, and Apis mellifera. GC-MS techniques were used to analyze the essential oils (Eos) of the Ferula communis L. flower obtained by hydrodistillation. Forty-two compounds were identified in the total essential oils. Oxygenated and hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes were the most dominant class of compounds in the flower oils. The main representatives of these groups were dihydrodehydrocostus lactone (15.0%), α-acorenol (8.4%), α-eudesmol (7.1%), eudesma-4, 11-dien-2-ol (5.3%), elemol (4.9%), aristolene (4%), γ-elemene (3.8%), epi-cedrol (3.5), and β-eudesmol (3.4%), respectively, as the most abundant components. Besides the sesquiterpene derivatives, an active constituent oxygenated monoterpene was obtained from the essential oil and identified as 4-(3,3-dimethylbut-1-ynyl)-4-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-enone (4.6%). The study concluded that the flowers of Ferula communis L. and its essential oil would be good candidates as biopesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial energy cropping systems are hailed as a sustainable way of mitigating and potentially adapting to climate change. As a result of the absence of tillage, soils cropped with perennials like cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum) promote abundant and functionally diverse earthworm communities. Hence, ecosystem service provision because of earthworm activity and functional redundancy, for example, litter decomposition, water infiltration and nutrient turnover, is considerably enhanced in perennial cropping systems. We studied the abundance and functional role of earthworms in non‐tilled perennial systems and reduced‐tilled annual systems to assess their relationship with the respective above‐ground organic residues and their implications for the soil water dynamic. We sampled earthworms and simultaneously measured the saturated infiltration rate for two consecutive years in cup plant and maize (Zea mays) fields. Furthermore, we sampled above‐ground litter each trimester in both systems and analysed the total C and N content and CN ratios. Our field investigations revealed significantly higher earthworm abundance, species diversity and richness in cup plant systems likely because of the absence of tillage and the formation of a litter layer. High abundances of juveniles in both maize and cup plant systems pointed to harsh habitat conditions likely because of temperature variations, waterlogging and bulk density. The respective field litter was of minor importance as a food source in both systems because of poor quality, but may positively affect the soil water balance in cup plant systems. Earthworm populations in maize may have been supported by organic fertilizer while earthworm populations in cup plants may have additionally benefitted from the extensive root network and a higher on‐site plant diversity. Reduced tillage regimes in maize systems may have enhanced saturated infiltration rates. A direct link between earthworms and infiltration was not validated, but may not be excluded in the future, as earthworm populations may develop slowly because of adverse habitat conditions. Our results show that perennials support abundant and diverse earthworm populations and indicate the importance of functional redundancy and the diversity of food sources. The combination of both earthworm abundance and perennial cropping systems is capable of increasing on‐site ecosystem stability and supporting adaptation to climate change by increasing functional redundancy and, ultimately, providing ecosystem services. The noticeable occurrence of the latter, however, may be delayed because of the slow establishment of earthworm communities and delayed build‐up of ecosystems stability. Hence, a transitional phase is inevitable to reap the benefits of perennial energy cropping systems and must be accounted for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genus Ferula comprises about 220 species of flowering plants belonging to family Apiaceae, distributed in the Mediterranean region and Asia and used in the treatment of different diseases as anti-oxidant, aphrodisiac, carminative, antinociceptive, anti-depressant, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-leishmanial, and anti-inflammatory. Moreover, species of this plant are used for dizziness, asthma, bronchitis, and gastrointestinal discomfort. It was reported that all the pharmacological effects of these plants are due to the presence of different phenolic constituents including flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, coumarins and polysulfides. Sesquiterpene coumarins were responsible for the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities by blocking the 5-lipoxygenase enzyme that catalyzes the biosynthesis of leukotrienes (LTs) being a group of lipid mediators of inflammation. This review covers most of the identified chemical constituents of plants from the genus Ferula reported in literature between 2001 and 2023. In addition, the biological activities of the different species of genus Ferula are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of surface compounds coated with active substances has gained significant attention in recent years. This study investigated the physical, mechanical, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties of a composite made of starch and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) containing various concentrations of Ferula gummosa essential oil (0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%). The addition of ZnO NPs improved the thickness, mechanical and microbial properties, and reduced the water vapor permeability of the starch active film. The addition of F. gummosa essential oil to the starch nanocomposite decreased the water vapor permeability from 6.25 to 5.63 g mm−2 d−1 kPa−1, but this decrease was significant only at the concentration of 1.5% of essential oils (p < 0.05). Adding 1.5% of F. gummosa essential oil to starch nanocomposite led to a decrease in Tensile Strength value, while an increase in Elongation at Break values was observed. The results of the antimicrobial activity of the nanocomposite revealed that the pure starch film did not show any lack of growth zone. The addition of ZnO NPs to the starch matrix resulted in antimicrobial activity on both studied bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli). The highest antimicrobial activity was observed in the starch/ZnO NPs film containing 1.5% essential oil with an inhibition zone of 340 mm2 on S. aureus. Antioxidant activity increased significantly with increasing concentration of F. gummosa essential oil (P < 0.05). The film containing 1.5% essential oil had the highest (50.5%) antioxidant activity. Coating also improved the chemical characteristics of fish fillet. In conclusion, the starch nanocomposite containing ZnO NPs and F. gummosa essential oil has the potential to be used in the aquatic packaging industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Exogenous hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has a positive effect on respiratory diseases. Oleo-gum of Ferula assa-foetida contains this compound. This study assessed the effects of Ferula assa-foetida L. oleo gum resin and tragacanth (Phytopaj) on patients with COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A randomized, single-blinded, controlled trial (RCT) phase 2 was conducted in Mashhad on hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In this RCT, 122 patients were randomly assigned to either receive a 14-day oral phytopaj plus ordinary treatment or ordinary treatment only. Changes in peripheral blood lymphocyte count (LC) and blood oxygen saturation (PO2) were the endpoints. Results: Mean±SD of PO2 in Phytopaj comparison ordinary treatment before intervention was 91.86±4.62 and 91.41±9.18, after the intervention it was 93.22±4.26 and 91.91±5.92 mmHg; before intervention, mean±SD of peripheral blood lymphocyte count was 1015.90±500.55, and 1104.28±543.61, and after intervention, it was 1652.27±921.38 and 1326.12±719.28/μL respectively. Conclusion: Phyopaj is most useful in moderate stages of Covid19, and it is not recommended for elderly patients and patients with comorbidity until more insight is gained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the chemical constituents found in Ferula samarkandica, a plant endemic to Central Asia. The study isolated 19 known compounds from the roots of Ferula samarkandica, including sesquiterpenes, coumarins, phenylpropanoids, and phthalates. Some of these compounds were isolated from the Ferula genus for the first time. The article provides information about the compounds' molecular formulas, physical properties, and spectroscopic data. This information can be useful for researchers studying these compounds and their properties. The document also acknowledges the funding sources for the research. [Extracted from the article]

Here, first, the Nd2Sn2O7 NPs were greenly generated in the participation of gum of ferula assa-feotida of SnCl4.5H2O and Nd(NO3)3. The uncontrolled release of CO2 by industrial processes that acidify the oceans and warm the planet has prompted scientists to try different methods to capture CO2 directly from wastewater sources. Considering the morphology of Nd2Sn2O7 NPs, an appropriate exterior layer for CO2 imbibition was created in all catalyst sites. Findings disclosed that Nd2Sn2O7 NPs positively affected the fabrication yield of 3a,4-dihydronaphtho[2,3-c]furan-1(3H)-one through a three-factor coupling reaction of alkynes, allylic chlorides, and carbon dioxide. The technique enjoyed profitable performance and forbearance of functional groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recirculation of process water (PW) from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has revealed as an effective strategy for the residual aqueous phase valorization in order to make the process energetically more efficient while reducing its environmental footprint. The effects of temperature, solid load and consecutive conversion phases on PW recirculation were assessed by using Ferula Communis plant residues as feedstock in HTC experiments. Recirculation of solvent promoted strong synergistic interactions between biomass and PW aimed at increasing hydrochar mass recovery. Hydrochar yield increased by 4-12 wt% on a dry basis (d.b.) according to reaction conditions. Biomass degradation was catalyzed by the reactive intermediates dissolved in the PW. The energy balance results showed that the energy recovery almost doubled by recycling PW when compared to the experiments carried out using only deionized water as HTC solvent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferula L. plants are of great importance in a number of fields such as agriculture, veterinary, medicine and food industry. Medicinal properties of Ferula L. species are explained by the variety of secondary metabolites they produce, in which the activity of root rhizobacteria occupies a special place. This article presents the research-based analysis of some biological properties, agrotechnology, secondary metabolites (ferulin A,D; diversolid A,D,F,G; kuhistanicaol A,B,C,D,G; kuhistanol (A-H); fucanefuromarin (A-G); fucanemarin A,B; fesumtuorin (A-H); ferulagol A,B; pallidon (A-F); sinkiangenorin D and others) of the species of genus Ferula L., the influence of the microbial communities (new species belonging to the genera Porphyrobacter, Paracoccus and Amycolatopsis, as well as Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, Gemmatimonadet and Bacteroides) living in the roots of Ferula L. on the synthesis of some secondary metabolites of the plant, based on scientific sources.

Global poultry consumption continues growing. Marinating tenderizes foods and adds flavors before cooking. In this study, marinades containing Oliveria decumbens Vent. essential oil (EO) and Ferula assa-foetida extract were formulated to investigate their antimicrobial activity in turkey breast meat during storage. The marinade solution comprised water, lactic acid (0.5%), and NaCl (3%). The treatment consisted of immersing the meat for 2 h at 4 °C in the marinade solution. The antimicrobial activity tests exhibited that the growth of Escherichia coli (0 log CFU/g), yeasts and molds (3.39 log CFU/g), lactic acid bacteria (LAB) (3.05 log CFU/g), and total aerobic psychrotrophs (5.23 log CFU/g) were inhibited by immersion of turkey breast meat in the marinade containing 900 ppm Oliveria decumbens Vent. EO. Sensory analysis of turkey breast meat showed immersion in the marinade containing 900 ppm Oliveria decumbens Vent. EO or 1400 ppm of Ferula assa-foetida extract produced an acceptable odor after cooking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ferula is a traditional, edible, and important medicinal plant with high economic value. The distinction between edible and non-edible Ferula remains unclear. Methods: In this study, headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC- MS/MS) non-targeted metabolomics techniques were used to systematically and comprehensively analyse secondary metabolites in the leaves and roots of four species of Ferula, considering their edibility. Results: A total of 166 leaf volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and 1,079 root metabolites were identified. Additionally, 42 potential VOCs and 62 differential root metabolites were screened to distinguish between edible and non-edible Ferula. Twelve volatile metabolites were specific to F. feurlaeoides, and eight compounds were specific to the three edible Ferula species. The results showed that compounds containing sulphur, aldehydes, and ketones, which produce pungent odours, were the primary sources of the strong odour of Ferula. The root differential metabolites include 13 categories, among which the high concentration group is organic acids, amino acids, terpenoids and fatty acids. The bioactive metabolites and VOCs in the roots exhibited species-specific characteristics. VOCs with various odors were linked to the distribution of root metabolites in both edible and non-edible Ferula plants. The screened root markers may contribute to the formation of characteristic VOCs. Discussion: This study identified the difference in flavour between edible and non-edible Ferula plants and, for the first time, demonstrated the contribution of the efficacy of Ferula root to the unique flavour of the above-ground parts of Ferula. These results provide a theoretical basis for selecting Ferula for consumption and help evaluate the quality of different species of Ferula. Our findings may facilitate food processing and the further development of Ferula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect pollinators are in population decline due to environmental and chemical stressors. Including native forbs in pastures could benefit grazers and pollinators; however, their forage and flowering characteristics are not fully documented. The objectives of our research were to evaluate 12 native forbs for persistence, forage mass, nutrient composition, and flowering patterns under repeated defoliation. Twelve species were planted in a small-plot experiment in 2018. Response variables were measured from 2020 to 2022. Annual (partridge pea, PPEA, Chamaecrista fasciculata) and biennial (black-eyed Susan, BESU, Rudbeckia hirta) species established high (p < 0.05) plant populations during the first season; however, the PPEA declined (p < 0.05) in forage mass during 2021. Tall species (Maximilian sunflower, MSUN, Helianthus maximiliani; cup plant, CUPP, Silphium perfoliatum) increased in forage mass, produced high-quality forage, and flowered during early fall. Lanceleaf coreopsis (LCOR, Coreopsis lanceolata) produced consistent (p > 0.05) forage mass and flowered in spring. The purple coneflower (PURC, Echinacea purpurea), Illinois bundleflower (ILBF, Desmanthus illinoensis), and oxeye sunflower (OSUN, Helopsis helianthoides) produced high-quality, consistent (p > 0.05) forage mass and flowered mid-season. Interseeding the BESU, ILBF, PPEA, LCOR, PURC, OSUN, and MSUN or CUPP would produce high-quality forage and floral resources throughout summer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effort was made to analyze metabolome and transcriptome profiles of Ferula persica via GC-MS and RNA-seq data. The analysis of the essential oils extracted from both flower and root tissues demonstrated the prominence of monoterpene constituents, while sesquiterpene compounds were present in the lower magnitudes. Considering transcriptome analysis, 2127 differentially expressed genes were found between root and flower: 396 transcripts were up-regulated in root, while 1731 exhibited an up-regulation pattern in flower. Out of 2127 transcripts, 86 were annotated as Terpene Synthases (TPSs), of which 83 TPSs were classified subsequently into five individual sub-families of TPS-a (33), TPS-b (42), TPS-c (2), TPSe-f (3), and TPS-g (3). Several transcription factor families were recognized among the differentially expressed genes, suggesting their direct or indirect regulatory roles for the biosynthesis of terpenoids in F. persica. Finally, according to our phylogenetic results, both F. assa-foetida and F. gummosa were placed in the same clade, while F. persica was lonely settled in one monophyletic clade, with the estimated divergence time of 2.99 Million Years Ago (MYA) between F. gummosa and F. assa-foetida, and 3.87 MYA between F. persica and two other Ferula species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently occurring tumors. Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum–resin (OGR) extract is a traditional cooking spice known for its broad spectrum of biological activities such as antifungal, antiparasitic, and anti-inflammatory activities. This study evaluated the antitumor effect of OGR extract against HT-29 colorectal cancer cells. The OGR chemical composition was analyzed using LC–ESI–MS/MS; MTT, clonogenic assays, and a xenograft model were used to measure cytotoxicity, while apoptotic proteins were detected using Western blotting. Phytochemical analysis revealed that the extract was a rich source of isoflavones, xanthones, and other derivatives. In a dose-dependent manner, the OGR extract significantly inhibited colony formation ability and HT-29 cell growth (IC50 was 3.60 ± 0.02 and 10.5 ± 0.1 mg/mL, respectively). On the other hand, the OGR extract significantly induced apoptosis and increased the expression of some pro-death proteins involved in cellular apoptosis including PUMA, BIM, BIK, and BAK. Moreover, in a subcutaneous HT-29 xenograft model, the tumor volume and burden decreased after treatment with the OGR extract (550 ± 32 mm3 and 16.3 ± 3.6, respectively) This study demonstrated that Ferula assa-foetida OGR ethanolic extract has potential antitumor effects against HT-29 CRC cell lines by reducing cell viability and the function of apoptosis. More studies are needed to reveal the underlying mechanisms related to cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from aqueous silver nitrate has been achieved using an extract of Ferula communis leaf as a capping, reducing, and stabilizing agent. The formation and stability of the green synthesized silver nanoparticles in the colloidal solution were monitored by absorption measurements. Silver nanoparticles were characterized by different analyses such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and FT-IR spectroscopy. The average particle size of silver nanoparticles was determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. In this experiment, pregnant female mice were divided into four groups (G); G1 was the control and received phosphate-buffered saline, G2 received orally aqueous extract of F. communis leaf, G3 received orally AgNPs chemically prepared by NaBH4, and G4 received orally AgNPs prepared by aqueous extract of F. communis leaf. The diameter of AgNPs was 20 nm. AgNPs exhibited good catalytic reduction ability toward methyl orange in the presence of sodium borohydride with a rate constant of 2.95 x 10−4 s−1. The results revealed the occurrence of resorbed embryos in G2, G3, and G4 with different percentages. The livers of mothers and embryos at E14.5 in G2, G3, and G4 showed different levels of histopathological alteration and increase in GFAP and CTGF expressions compared with the control group. The study concluded that the oral administration of small-sized AgNPs (20 nm) prepared by Ferula extract had less toxicity than those prepared by the chemical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the essential oil content, essential oil and extracts, which are known as Ferula orientalis and obtained from naturally grown plants in Narman (Erzurum, Türkiye) province, antioxidant effects and antimicrobial effects. F. orientalis essential oils were isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify their components. The antimicrobial activity was measured by the disc diffusion methods and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) methods against Chryseobacterium indologenes which cause soft rot in certain vegetables and fruits. Total antioxidant and phenolic contents were analyzed by 2,2′-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging, 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6 sulphonic acid (ABTS), thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), β-carotene bleaching test (BCB) and Folin-Ciocalteu method. According to the results obtained; F. orientalis essential oil exhibited a high content of δ-3-Carene (40.38%) as major compound over 14 identified components by GC-MS analysis followed by γ-Terpinene (17.24%), (E)-β-Ocimene (10.51%), and β-Phellandrene (8.49%). The essential oil and extracts was evaluated for its antimicrobial activity against C. indologenes showed significant antibacterial activities with MIC values of 9-21 mm and 62.5 μg/mL, respectively, but extracts and antibiotics have no effect against C. indologenes. Hexane extract had the highest ABTS free radical scavenging activity with 14.2 (IC50 g/l), acetone extract had the highest DPPH capacity with 24.2 (IC50 g/l), and water extract had the highest amount of total phenolic compound with 15.13±3.82 mg GAE/g. In the TBARS test antioxidant activity increased as the amount of essential oil increased. The antioxidant capacity of F. orientalis essential oil exhibited reduction when evaluated by β-carotene bleaching assay. As a result, it is thought that F. orientalis essential oils and extracts can be used as an alternative natural antioxidant source for potential applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated a 'de Novo' medicinal herb, Ferula asafetida (FA), against toxoplasma encephalitis either alone or combined with spiramycin (SP). Female Swiss‐Webster mice (n = 72) were divided into three batches. Batch‐I received no DMS to serve as an immunocompetent control, batch‐II was immune‐suppressed with the DMS (0.25 mg/g/day) for 14 days pre‐infection, whilst batch‐III was immune‐suppressed with the DMS on the same day of infection. All experimental mice were inoculated with Toxoplasma gondii ME49 cysts (n = 75). Each batch was split into four subgroups: Mono‐SP, mono‐FA, combined drug (SP + FA), or neither. Therapies were administered on day zero of infection in batches (I and II) and 35 days post‐infection in batch (III). Treatments lasted for 14 days, and mice were sacrificed 60 days post‐infection. Histopathological changes, cysts load, and CD4 and CD8 T‐cells were counted in brain tissues. The cyst‐load count in mice receiving SP + FA was significantly (p <.0001) the least compared to the mono treatments in all protocols. Interestingly, the combined therapy demolished the T‐cell subsets to zero in immunocompetent and immunocompromised infected mice. In conclusion, F. asafetida might be a powerfully natural, safe vehicle of SP in the digestive system and/or across the brain–blood barrier to control toxoplasmosis even through immunodeficient conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferula latisecta, Dorema kopetdaghense, and Dorema ammoniacum oleo-gum resins are among the most valuable Iranian herbal products and have great potential to be exported abroad. This study aims to phytochemically investigate the antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of the mentioned oleo-gum resins. The hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanolic extracts of gums were prepared through a "sequential extraction" method. The antidiabetic effects of the extracts were evaluated on the basis of α-amylase and α-glycosidase enzyme inhibition methods. In addition, the antioxidant effects of the extracts were analyzed against DPPH free radicals. Besides, the phenolic and flavonoid compounds of the extracts were measured. The results showed that the hexane extract of D. ammoniacum gum had the highest inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase (92.99%). Also, the methanolic extract of this plant showed the highest inhibitory activity against α-amylase (50.84%). The hexane extract of D. ammoniacum gum has high antioxidant properties with an IC50 value of 40.85 μg/mL. Moreover, the hexane extract of D. ammoniacum gum has the highest amount of phenolic compounds with 530.52 mg of gallic acid/g of extract, among the others. According to the results, the gum of D. ammoniacum is rich of phenolic compounds and has high antioxidant and antidiabetic effects in comparison to common standards. So, this herbal product can be worthy of further investigation.

This document provides information on the chemical composition of the essential oils and lipids extracted from two different species of Ferula plants. The essential oils from both species contained sesquiterpenes and hydrocarbons, with the highest content of α-cadinol. One species also had significant amounts of myristic and palmitic acids. The analysis of the essential oils was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID), while the lipids were analyzed using column chromatography (CC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The document provides detailed descriptions of the methods used for analysis and extraction. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Ferula ferulaeoides (Steud.) Korovin is a traditional ethnopharmacological plant used for lump elimination and as a spice, especially in places like India. It has also been employed in the livestock and food industries. This investigation aimed to explore the anti-tumor mechanisms of ethyl acetate extract fractions of dried roots of Ferula ferulaeoides (FF-EtOAc) on esophageal cancer (EC) cells. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that FF-EtOAc could inhibit EC cells growths by inducing apoptosis. Results: In a time- and dose-dependent manner, FF-EtOAc considerably reduced the number of migrating EC cells. And FF-EtOAc also inhibited the growth of EC cells in vivo, and it is less toxic to nude mice. In terms of the FF-EtOAc anticancer mechanism, the findings revealed that FF-EtOAc inhibited EC cells growth by activating mitochondrial signaling pathways and PI3K/Akt/Bad signaling pathways. Conclusions: Through both in vitro and in vivo experiments, FF-EtOAc significantly exhibited anti-esophageal cancer activity. The anti-EC activity of FF-EtOAc may be due to the activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic and PI3K/Akt/Bad signaling pathways.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a destructive neurological disease. Approved therapies that target the cholinergic system to control the symptoms have various complications. Natural compounds that inhibit the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme can promote the development of new drugs. Nature‐derived compounds are more compatible with biological systems in comparison to synthetic library. Ferula haussknechtii is a native species of Iran. In study, we evaluated the effects of its essential oil and extracts on the inhibition of AChE through in vitro and in silico methods. The essential oil was extracted by Clevenger apparatus. Extracts were prepared by maceration for 72 hours. The Ellman's test was used to measure the inhibitory effects of the samples. The interaction of the main constituents of the essential oil with AChE was investigated by Coarse Grained molecular dynamics (CG‐MD) simulation. Essential oil inhibited the AChE with IC50: 44.6 μg/ml. Among different extracts, hydroalcoholic extract with IC50: 41.4 μg/ml exhibited the most potent inhibitory effect. Based on the results of 1 μs CG‐MD simulation, the major constituents of the essential oil inhibited the AChE by binding to the PAS site. The constituents of F. haussknechtii could be considered as a rich source for discovering and designing new AChE inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]