Search citation statements
Paper Sections
Citation Types
Year Published
Publication Types
Relationship
Authors
Journals
This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the medicinal, folkloric and traditional culinary uses of Ferula species, related products and extracts in different countries together with the description of recently isolated new components and the related bioactivities. The phytochemical composition of the essential oils (EOs), oleo-gum-resin (OGR) and the non-volatile fractions obtained from several endemic and indigenous Ferula species is also reported. A special emphasis is placed on their unusual components, i.e. sulfur-containing volatiles from the EOs and the new phytochemicals with mixed biogenetic origins. More than 180 chemical constituents (excluding common essential oils components), including sulfur-containing metabolites, terpenoids, coumarins, sesquiterpene coumarins, etc., as both aglycones and glycosides, are reported, along with their occurrence and biological activities when available. A large number of new secondary metabolites, belonging to different classes of natural products possessing interesting biological activities, from the antiproliferative to the anti-inflammatory to the neuroprotective ones, among the others, have been recently found in the Ferula genus. Several of these phytochemicals are exclusive to this genus; therefore may be considered chemotaxonomic markers. All these aspects are extensively discussed in this review.
This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the medicinal, folkloric and traditional culinary uses of Ferula species, related products and extracts in different countries together with the description of recently isolated new components and the related bioactivities. The phytochemical composition of the essential oils (EOs), oleo-gum-resin (OGR) and the non-volatile fractions obtained from several endemic and indigenous Ferula species is also reported. A special emphasis is placed on their unusual components, i.e. sulfur-containing volatiles from the EOs and the new phytochemicals with mixed biogenetic origins. More than 180 chemical constituents (excluding common essential oils components), including sulfur-containing metabolites, terpenoids, coumarins, sesquiterpene coumarins, etc., as both aglycones and glycosides, are reported, along with their occurrence and biological activities when available. A large number of new secondary metabolites, belonging to different classes of natural products possessing interesting biological activities, from the antiproliferative to the anti-inflammatory to the neuroprotective ones, among the others, have been recently found in the Ferula genus. Several of these phytochemicals are exclusive to this genus; therefore may be considered chemotaxonomic markers. All these aspects are extensively discussed in this review.
Chemical studies on the plants of the genus Ferula (Apiaceae) show the presence of many compounds belonging mainly to the groups of monoterpene coumarins, sesquiterpene coumarins, sesquiterpenes, furanocoumarins and aromatic compounds. Biological studies reveal significant activities, such as an anti-HIV activity, inhibition of cytokine release and early events of carcinogenesis. Extracts of some species of Ferula have long been used in folk medicine for treating various diseases, possess an antimicrobial and estrogenic actions, and are natural plant growth inhibitors and stimulators.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.