The genus Ferula (Apiaceae) comprises about 180 species spreading throughout the world and some species are used in folk medicine of different countries for treatment of stomachache, hysteria and others. In Iranian flora, genus Ferula is represented by 30 species including 15 endemic representatives [1]. In Iranian traditional medicine Ferula species are highly appreciated e.g. the well-known representative F. assa-foetida of which the gum has been used as a remedy for abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, spasms and others. Ferula hezarlalehzarica Ajani, identified in 2008 [2], is an endemic species growing in Kerman province, Iran. This plant is used by the local people for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
Phytochemical investigation of the dichloromethane extract of the roots of F. hezarlalehzarica resulted in the isolation of thirteen compounds. One daucane sesquiterpene and one fenchol derivatives were identified as new compounds, 6-hydroxy-1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-yl 4-hydroxybenzoate (1) and 1,8-dihydroxy-1-isopropyl-3a,6-dimethyl-1,2,3,3a,4,5,8,8a-octahydroazulen-5-yl 4-hydroxybenzoate (2). The two remaining compounds were identified as known borneol derivatives.
An initial pharmacological investigation of the isolated compounds in a colorimetric assay (MTT) in MDA-MB-231 cells revealed two active compounds, the p-hydroxy benzoic acid as well as the 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy benzoic acid analog of ferutinol, which showed identical IC50 values of 42 µM after 24h incubation.
[1] Sattar Z, Iranshahi M. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2017; 20: 1-8.
[2] Ajani A, Ajani M. Edinb. J. Bot. 2008; 65: 425–431.