Daucane sesquiterpenes from Ferula hermonis

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

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

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of Ferula plants and their potential for treatment of Alzheimer's disease

One of the current strategies in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease is using drugs with acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory property. The existence of various compounds in plants as a potential source for finding new compounds to treat Alzheimer's disease is a scientific fact. Many secondary metabolites and plant extracts have been reported with the ability to inhibit the AChE activity and improve memory and learning. These compounds can increase the concentration of acetylcholine in the brain and improve cholinergic function in individuals with Alzheimer's disease and reduce the symptoms of this neurological disorder. Plants of Ferula genus are a good source of biologically active compounds such as sesquiterpene derivatives, coumarin derivatives and sulfur-containing compounds. Numerous studies on various extracts or purified compounds of Ferula genus have shown that members of this genus have the inhibitory properties on acetylcholinesterase and can also be effective in improving Alzheimer's and amnesia. This review article summarizes studies on plants of Ferula extracts and their derived compounds to find AChE inhibitors.

Isolation and purification of terpenoid compounds from Ferula haussknechtii and evaluation of their antibacterial effects

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.

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

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

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

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

Cytotoxic Activity of Sesquiterpenoids Isolated from Endemic Ferula tenuissima Hub.-Mor & Peşmen

Objectives

This was a phytochemical study of endemic Ferula tenuissima roots and determined the cytotoxic activity of pure compounds on PC-3.

Materials and Methods

Air-dried and powdered roots of F. tenuissima (1 kg) were extracted consecutively with n-hexane, chloroform (CHCl₃), and methanol (MeOH) (3×2 L, each) by sonication at 30°C for 24 h. The extracts were then filtered. The solvents were separately evaporated under reduced pressure to dryness. The compounds were isolated by chromatographic methods and their structures were determined by spectral methods (1D and 2D NMR and LC-MS). The compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activities versus the PC-3 cell line by WST assay.

Results

A phytochemical investigation of the dried roots of endemic F. tenuissima was performed and three sesquiterpene esters were isolated. The daucane-type sesquiterpenes teferidin, ferutinin, and elaeochytrin-A were identified. In the bioactivity study, ferutinin exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 19.7 μM.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the main compounds of F. tenuissima roots are daucane sesquiterpenes and ferutinin has a potential effect on PC-3 cells.

Effects of Hexane Root Extract of Ferula hermonis Boiss. on Human Breast and Colon Cancer Cells: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

Breast and colon cancers are leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally. Plants are a potential source of natural products that may be used for the treatment of cancer. Ferula hermonis (FH) is reported to have diverse therapeutic effects. However, there are few reports on the in vitro anticancer potential of FH extract. Our results showed that the Ferula hermonis root hexane extract (FHRH) can induce dose-dependent cytotoxic effects in breast and colon cancer cells with MTT IC₅₀ values of 18.2 and 25 μg/ml, respectively. The FHRH extract induced apoptosis in both breast and colon cancer cells; this was confirmed by light and nuclear staining, q-PCR, and caspase 3/7 activation. This study also demonstrated the antitumor activity of FHRH in 9,10-dimethylbenz[α]anthracene DMBA-induced rodent mammary tumor model. The GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of 3,5-Dimethylbenzenemethanol, Alpha-Bisabolol, Alpha-pinene, Beta-pinene, and Baccatin III that have various pharmacological potentials. Overall, the present study suggests that FHRH extract possesses anticancer potential which is mediated through apoptotic effects in MDA-MB-231 and LoVo cells. The present study also considered a basis for further investigations into the potential use of FHRH extract as an anticancer therapy for breast and colon cancers.

Phytochemical screening and evaluation of the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Ferula caspica M. Bieb. extracts

Chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts from the aerial parts of Ferula caspica M. Bieb. were tested for their antioxidant capacities by CUPRAC, ABTS, FRAP, Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride methods and for antimicrobial activities by the broth microdilution method. Chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts showed the highest antioxidant capacity and antimicrobial activity. Three known sesquiterpene derivatives; 1-(2',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7,11-trimethyl-3-vinyl-6(E),10-dodecadien-1-one (1), 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-2-[4',8'-dimethyl-3',7'-nonadienyl]-furo[3,2,c]coumarin (2), 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2,3-dimethyl-3-[4',8'-dimethyl-3',7'-nonadienyl]-furo[3,2,c]coumarin(3); phenylpropanoid; laserine/2-epilaserine (4/5) and steroid mixtures; stigmasterol and β-sitosterol (6/7) were isolated from chloroform extract; three known flavonoids; kaempferol-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (8), kaempferol-3-O-α-rhamnopyranoside (9), quercetin-3-O-β-glucopyranoside (10), and one benzoic acid derivative; 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (11) were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods.

Novel chemical sensor for detection Ca(II) ions based on ferutinin

A new optical chemical sensor based on medicinal compound, jaeschkeanadiol p-hydroxyben-zoate (Ferutinin), has been designed and utilized for Ca(II) ions detections. This natural optical sensor exhibits immense selectivity including fluorescence and absorption ratiometric for Ca(II) ions within precious physiological pH range. Further, the chelation process of the Ca(II) ions with the medicinal optical sensor ferutinin yields a 1:1 (metal: ligand) complex which is accompanied by fluorescence enhancement of the main emission band centered at 355 nm of the medicinal probe. The fluorescence "turn-on" effect is a clear evidence for the chelation process between ferutinin medicinal probe and Ca(II) ions and this could be simply detected. The new sensor was proposed depending on significant fluorescence mechanism, (MLCT, metal-ligand charge transfer). However, the interaction of the medicinal optical sensor with Ca(II) in presence of other cations was examined without any significant interference. Also, the new developed optical sensor consecutively exhibits low limit of detection (LOD) 1.5 nM for Ca(II) which is detected in very significant physiological pH range (pH = 7.4). Also, the probe provides high binding affinity towards Ca(II) with large binding constant K_b 5.97 × 10⁴ M^-1. As a result, this optical sensor may apply for detection Ca(II) in cell or biological samples.

Recent Advances on Bioactive Constituents in Ferula

Preclinical Research The genus Ferula (Umbelliferea) is widely distributed across Central Asia and the Mediterranean. Some plants of the genus Ferula have been used as sources of pharmaceuticals for centuries. Ferula is a rich source of biologically active compounds, including coumarin derivatives, sesquiterpene-substituted compounds, daucane esters, humulane, and germacrane compounds, aromatic lactones and disulfide compounds. Therefore, utilizing these bioactive constituents with antimicrobial and insecticidal effects not only can provide a new strategy for developing drug and green pesticide, but also protect endangered plant resources. In the present review, research advances on the bioactive constituents of the genus Ferula the plant sources. Drug Dev Res 78 : 321-331, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Photochemical Approaches to Complex Chemotypes: Applications in Natural Product Synthesis

The use of photochemical transformations is a powerful strategy that allows for the formation of a high degree of molecular complexity from relatively simple building blocks in a single step. A central feature of all light-promoted transformations is the involvement of electronically excited states, generated upon absorption of photons. This produces transient reactive intermediates and significantly alters the reactivity of a chemical compound. The input of energy provided by light thus offers a means to produce strained and unique target compounds that cannot be assembled using thermal protocols. This review aims at highlighting photochemical transformations as a tool for rapidly accessing structurally and stereochemically diverse scaffolds. Synthetic designs based on photochemical transformations have the potential to afford complex polycyclic carbon skeletons with impressive efficiency, which are of high value in total synthesis.

African flora has the potential to fight multidrug resistance of cancer

Background. Continuous efforts from scientists of diverse fields are necessary not only to better understand the mechanism by which multidrug-resistant (MDR) cancer cells occur, but also to boost the discovery of new cytotoxic compounds to fight MDR phenotypes. Objectives. The present review reports on the contribution of African flora in the discovery of potential cytotoxic phytochemicals against MDR cancer cells. Methodology. Scientific databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Knowledge were used to retrieve publications related to African plants, isolated compounds, and drug resistant cancer cells. The data were analyzed to highlight cytotoxicity and the modes of actions of extracts and compounds of the most prominent African plants. Also, thresholds and cutoff points for the cytotoxicity and modes of action of phytochemicals have been provided. Results. Most published data related to the antiproliferative potential of African medicinal plants were from Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, or Madagascar. The cytotoxicity of phenolic compounds isolated in African plants was generally much better documented than that of terpenoids and alkaloids. Conclusion. African flora represents an enormous resource for novel cytotoxic compounds. To unravel the full potential, efforts should be strengthened throughout the continent, to meet the challenge of a successful fight against MDR cancers.

Extracts of three Laserpitium L. species and their principal components laserpitine and sesquiterpene lactones inhibit microbial growth and biofilm formation by oral Candida isolates

Antimicrobial properties of compounds of underground parts of threeLaserpitiumL. (Apiaceae) species were investigated.

A unified approach to the daucane and sphenolobane bicyclo[5.3.0]decane core: enantioselective total syntheses of daucene, daucenal, epoxydaucenal B, and 14-para-anisoyloxydauc-4,8-diene

Access to the bicyclo[5.3.0]decane core found in the daucane and sphenolobane terpenoids via a key enone intermediate enables the enantioselective total syntheses of daucene, daucenal, epoxydaucenal B, and 14-para-anisoyloxydauc-4,8-diene. Central aspects include a catalytic asymmetric alkylation followed by a ring contraction and ring-closing metathesis to generate the five- and seven-membered rings, respectively.

Antifungal compounds from the rhizome and roots of Ferula hermonis

The antifungal activity of hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and aqueous extracts from the rhizome and root of Ferula hermonis was assayed in vitro by the agar disk diffusion method against a panel of human opportunistic and pathogenic fungi. Among them, the hexane and dichloromethane extracts showed the highest activity particularly against the dermatophytes Microsporum gypseum and Tricophyton mentagrophytes as well as the yeast Candida lactis-condensi. Activity-guided fractionation of both extracts using an agar overlay bioautographic method led to the isolation of two antifungal compounds which were identified as the daucane aryl esters jaeschkeanadiol p-hydroxybenzoate (ferutinin) and jaeschkeanadiol benzoate (teferidin). Determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) values of both compounds evidenced a stronger antifungal activity for ferutinin than for teferidin. Particularly, T. mentagrophytes was the most sensitive strain with MIC and MFC values ranging from 8 to 256 µg/mL.

Potential antifertility agents from plants: a comprehensive review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Traditional medicines are practiced worldwide for regulation fertility since ancient times. This review provides a comprehensive summary of medicinal flora inhabitating throughout the world regarding their traditional usage by various tribes/ethnic groups for fertility regulation in females.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bibliographic investigation was carried out by analyzing classical text books and peer reviewed papers, consulting worldwide accepted scientific databases from the last six decades. Plants/their parts/extracts traditionally used for abortion, contraception, emmenagogue and sterilization purposes have been considered as antifertility agents. Research status of selected potential plant species has been discussed. Further, compounds isolated from plants with attributed fertility regulating potentials are also classified into three categories: (a) phytoconstituents with anti-implantation activity, (b) phytoconstituents with abortifacient activity and (c) phytoconstituents with contraceptive activity.

RESULTS

577 plant species belonging to 122 families, traditionally used in fertility regulation in females, have been recorded, of which 298 plants have been mentioned as abortifacients (42%), 188 as contraceptives (31%), 149 as emmenagogues (24%), and 17 as sterilizers. Among 122 plant families, fabaceae constitutes 49.2%, asteraceae 40.98%, euphorbiaceae 19.7%, apiaceae 16.4%, poaceae 12.3%, labiateae 11.5%, and others in lesser proportion. Various plant parts used in fertility regulation include leaves (25%), roots (22%), fruits (15%), seeds (12%), stem/stem bark (37%), and flowers (4%). Some active compounds, isolated from about various plant species, have been reported to possess significant antifertility potential.

CONCLUSION

This review clearly indicates that it is time to increase the number of experimental studies to find out novel potential chemical entities from such a vast array of unexploited plants having traditional role in fertility regulation. Also, the mechanisms of action by which plant extracts and their active compounds exert antifertility effects remain to be studied.

Composition and antifungal activity of the essential oil from the rhizome and roots of Ferula hermonis

The analysis of the essential oil from rhizome and roots of Ferula hermonis Boiss. (Apiaceae) by GC-FID, GC-MS and ¹³C NMR allowed the identification of 79 constituents, more than 90% of the oil, the major one being α-pinene (43.3%), followed by α-bisabolol (11.1%) and the unusual acetylenic compound 3,5-nonadiyne (4.4%). The antifungal activity of the essential oil before and after fractionation was assayed against several yeasts and filamentous fungi. Purification of the active fractions afforded 3,5-nonadiyne, α-bisabolol, jaeschkeanadiol angelate, α-bisabolol oxide B and trans-verbenol, as well as two purified fractions, one of them (JB73) with 73% of jaeschkeanadiol benzoate and the other with 50% of spathulenol. Determination of MIC and MFC values of all these products evidenced strong antifungal activities for JB73 and 3,5-nonadiyne. Particularly, against the dermatophyte Tricophyton mentagrophytes, MIC and MFC values were 0.25 μg/ml for JB73, and 8 μg/ml for 3,5-nonadiyne, the former being more active than amphotericin B and nystatin.

Sepicanin A- A new geranyl flavanone from Artocarpus sepicanus with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOH extract of Artocarpus sepicanus Diels leaves has led to the isolation of a new geranyl flavanone (1), along with the known compounds, afzelechin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside and β-sitosterol glucoside. The structure of the new compound was established by UV, IR, HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR experiments. Antimicrobial testing of the three compounds indicated that 1 displayed a significant selective antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) with IC₅₀ and MIC values of 1.4 and 2.9 μM, respectively.

Feruhermonins A-C: three daucane esters from the seeds of Ferula hermonis (Apiaceae)

Seventeen daucane esters have been isolated from the seeds of Ferula hermonis Boiss (Apiaceae). Three of these sesquiterpenes, 4beta-hydroxy-6alpha-benzoyl-7-daucen-9-one (1), 4beta, 8beta-dihydroxy-6alpha-benzoyl-dauc-9-ene (2), and 4beta, 9alpha-dihydroxy-6alpha-benzoyl-dauc-7-ene (4), named feruhermonins A-C, respectively, are novel natural products. The structures of these compounds were elucidated unequivocally by a series of 1D and 2D NMR analyses. Although 4beta, 8beta-dihydroxy-6alpha-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoyl)-dauc-9-ene (3) was reported previously, the complete spectroscopic data for this compound are presented here for the first time.

Ferutinin stimulates nitric oxide synthase activity in median eminence of the rat

Several species of Ferula genus have been used in folk medicine in digestive disorders, rheumatism, headache, arthritis, and as tranquilizers, antispasmodic and aphrodisiac. From the dry and powdered roots of Ferula hermonis Boiss was extracted the oxygenated sesquiterpene 1,5-trans-daucane type: ferutinine (1). The structure of (1) was established by spectroscopic methods as: IR, (1)H RMN, (13)C RMN, COSY, HMBC, HMQC, NOESY, EIMS, and CIMS. The possible signaling pathway of ferutinin (1) in nervous tissue in vitro was assessed and the results showed that this compound is able to increase nitric oxide synthase activity and inositol monophosphate accumulation (49%, each) in the median eminence of the rat brain, suggesting that compound (1) is associated to the activation of phosphoinositide breakdown and nitric oxide production (NO), the last is a gaseous intercellular messenger known to play a broad role in human biology from homeostasis to pathology.

A comparative study of Ferula hermonis root extracts and sildenafil on copulatory behaviour of male rats

The effect of 600 mg/kg given by oral route to rats of Ferula hermonis roots extracts (petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, methanol and water) was evaluated on sexual behaviour of male rats. Petroleum ether and ethyl acetate extracts produced a significant decrease in both the mount rate (MR) and the intromission rate (IR), significant prolongation of intromission latency (IL) was observed when these extracts were compared with both controls and sildenafil. Methanolic extract produced a significant increase in MR while no effect has been observed on IR or IL in comparison with control. The effect of water extract was not significantly different from controls for the MR and IR, but there was a significant prolongation in the IL.