Antiinflammatory sesquiterpenes from the root oil of Ferula hermonis

Phytother Res. 2011 May;25(5):774-7. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3324. Epub 2010 Oct 29.

Abstract

Ferula hermonis Boiss. (Apiaceae), commonly known as 'Shilsh-el-zallouh', 'Hashishat-al-kattira' or 'The Lebanese viagra', is a small shrub that grows abundantly on the Hermon Mountain between Syria and Lebanon. The seeds and roots of this plant have long been used in the Middle East as an aphrodisiac, and for the treatment of frigidity and impotence for both men and women. The antiinflammatory properties of three major daucane esters, ferutinin (1) teferin (2) and teferidin (3), isolated from the root oil of Ferula hermonis, were assessed by the carrageenan-induced oedema model in rats. The antiinflammatory effect of both 1 and 2 was observed with a dose of 100 mg/kg, while compound 3 did not show any antiinflammatory activity; conversely it produced a significant proinflammatory effect 2 and 3 h after carrageenan injection.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Aphrodisiacs / therapeutic use
  • Benzoates / chemistry
  • Benzoates / isolation & purification
  • Benzoates / pharmacology
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / chemistry
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / isolation & purification
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds / pharmacology
  • Carrageenan / toxicity
  • Cycloheptanes / chemistry
  • Cycloheptanes / isolation & purification
  • Cycloheptanes / pharmacology
  • Edema / chemically induced
  • Edema / drug therapy*
  • Edema / pathology
  • Female
  • Ferula / chemistry*
  • Foot
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle East
  • Models, Animal
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Oils / chemistry
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sesquiterpenes / chemistry
  • Sesquiterpenes / isolation & purification
  • Sesquiterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Sexual Dysfunctions, Psychological / drug therapy
  • Vanillic Acid / analogs & derivatives
  • Vanillic Acid / chemistry
  • Vanillic Acid / isolation & purification
  • Vanillic Acid / pharmacology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Aphrodisiacs
  • Benzoates
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds
  • Cycloheptanes
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Oils
  • Sesquiterpenes
  • teferidin
  • teferin
  • 4-oxy-6-(4-oxybezoyloxy)dauc-8,9-en
  • Carrageenan
  • Vanillic Acid