Ferula harmonis 'zallouh' and enhancing erectile function in rats: efficacy and toxicity study.
(1/16)
Ferula harmonis, which is locally called 'zallouh' in the Middle East, is used as an aphrodisiac as it is reputed to enhance male sexual behavior, however, there is no scientific verification. In this study, the oil extracted from the seeds of Ferula harmonis was tested for its efficacy in enhancing erectile function and toxicity in male rats. The sexual activities assessed by penile erection index were dose dependent. The ED(50) (12.03 mg/kg) was 880 times less than the LD(50) (10.6 g/kg). However, when doses ranging from 0.05, 0.5 to 2 g/kg were given daily for 28 days, acute and subacute toxicity were observed. There was a decrease in total body weight, hepatomegaly, atrophic testis, significant decrease in hemoglobin and red blood cell count. In addition, there was a significant decrease in cholesterol level. All the above indicate that the crude oil from the plant Ferula harmonis can enhance erectile function, however, it becomes toxic if it is used for a long period of time. Further studies are underway to isolate and identify the active ingredients and their exact mechanisms of action. (+info)
Sesquiterpenoid derivatives from Ferula ferulaeoides [correction of ferulioides]. V.
(2/16)
Nine novel prenyl-dihydrofurocoumarin-type sesquiterpenoid derivatives, 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2R*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadienyl]-furo[3, 2-c]coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2S*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadien-6-onyl]-fu ro[3,2-c]coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2S*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4-methyl-5-(4-methyl-2-furyl)-3(E)-pent enyl]-furo[3,2-c]coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2R*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4-methyl-5- (4-methyl-2-furyl)-3(E)-pentenyl]-furo[3,2-c]coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-7-methoxy-2S*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadienyl]-furo[3, 2-c]coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-7-methoxy-2R*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadienyl]-furo[3, 2-c]coumarin, 2,3-dihydro-7-methoxy-2S*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadien-6-onyl]-fu ro-[3,2-c]coumarin, and 2,3-dihydro-7-methoxy-2S*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4-methyl-5-(4-methyl-2-furyl)-3(E)-pent enyl]-furo[3,2-c]coumarin, were isolated from the roots of Ferula ferulaeoides [corrected]. The structures were established by comprehensive spectral analysis. The biosynthetic pathway leading to these prenyl-furocoumarin-type sesquiterpenoids is proposed based on their structures. (+info)
Effect of Ferula hormonis extract on social aggression, fertility and some physiological parameters in prepubertal male mice.
(3/16)
The effects of an aqueous extract of Ferula hormonis on social aggression, fertility and some physiological and biochemical parameters were investigated in male mice. The ingestion of 3 mg/kg of aqueous extract of F. hormonis for six weeks clearly inhibited social aggression. Body wet weight and other sex accessory organ weights were significantly reduced by this treatment. The ingestion of this extract by male mice resulted in a significant reduction of their fertility. This treatment caused a significant decrease in the number of pregnant females, number of implantations and viable fetuses in females impregnated by males that ingested this extract. Additionally, the numbers of epididymal sperm and their motility were dramatically reduced in F. hormonis-treated mice. Concomitant increases in sperm abnormalities were also observed when compared with control. These data indicate that F. hormonis exposure during this period puts the exposed animals at significant risk for reduced reproductive capacity in adulthood. (+info)
New sesquiterpenes from Ferula ferulaeoides (Steud.) Korovin. VI. Isolation and identification of three new dihydrofuro[2,3-b]chromones.
(4/16)
Three novel 2-prenyl-dihydrofurochromone-type sesquiterpenoid derivatives, 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2S*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadienyl]-furo[2, 3-b]chromone, 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2S*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4-methyl-5-(4-methyl-2-furyl)-3(E),7-pe ntenyl]-furo[2,3-b]chromone, and 2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2R*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4-methyl-5-(4-methyl-2-furyl)-3(E),7-pe ntenyl]-furo[2,3-b]chromone, were isolated from the roots of Ferula ferulaeoides. The structures were established by comprehensive spectral analysis. The biosynthetic pathway leading to these 2-prenyl-dihydrofurochromone-type sesquiterpenoids is proposed based on their structures. (+info)
Sesquiterpene coumarins from Ferula fukanensis and nitric oxide production inhibitory effects.
(5/16)
Four new sesquiterpene coumarin derivatives, fukanemarin B (1), fukanefuromarin E (2), fukanefuromarin F (3) and fukanefuromarin G (5) were isolated from a 80% aqueous methanol extract of the roots of Ferula fukanensis. The structures were elucidated based on spectral evidence, especially heteronuclear multiple-bond connectivity (HMBC) and high-resolution MS. The 80% aqueous methanol extract of the roots of Ferula fukanensis (FFE) and the sesquiterpene coumarin derivatives inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) gene expression by a murine macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7), which was activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and recombinant mouse interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). (+info)
Sesquiterpene coumarins from the roots of Ferula sinkiangensis and Ferula teterrima.
(6/16)
Three new natural sesquiterpene coumarins, isofeterin (1), lehmannolol (3), sinkianone (4), and one known compound, lehmannolone (2), were isolated from the roots of Ferula teterrima and Ferula sinkiangensis. Their chemical structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including X-ray crystallography and CD spectrum measurements for determining the absolute configuration of compound 2. (+info)
A new ester isolated from Ferula assa-foetida L.
(7/16)
A new caffeic acid cinnamyl ester (1) was isolated from the n-hexane-soluble fraction of an MeOH extract of the gum resin of Ferula assa-foetida L. The structure was determined to be (2E)-3,4-dimethoxycinnamyl-3-(3,4 diacetoxyphenyl) acrylate on the basis of spectroscopic data including 1D- and 2D-NMR. Compound 1 showed moderate activity for inhibiting LPS-induced nitric oxide production in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells, with an IC50 value of 54.9 microm. (+info)
Galbanic acid from Ferula szowitsiana enhanced the antibacterial activity of penicillin G and cephalexin against Staphylococcus aureus.
(8/16)
In this study the enhancement effect of Ferula szowitsiana roots' acetone extract on the antibacterial activity of penicillin G and cephalexin was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus. Disk diffusion and broth dilution methods were used to determine the antibacterial activity of these antibiotics in the absence and presence of plant extract and its various fractions separated by TLC plate. The active component of plant extract involved in enhancement of penicillin G's and cephalexin's activities had Rf=0.336 on a TLC plate. The spectral data ((1)H-, (13)C-NMR) of this compound revealed that this compound was 7-[6-(beta-carboxyethyl)-5-isopropylidene-1,2-dimethylcyclo-hexylmethoxy]coumarin (galbanic acid), previously isolated from Ferula assa-foetida. In the presence of sub-inhibitory concentration of galbanic acid (100 microg/ml) the MIC of penicillin G for S. aureus decreased from 64 to 1 (a sixteen four-fold decrease) and for cephalexin from 128 to 1 microg/ml (a one hundred twenty eight-fold decrease). The highest fold decrease in MIC was observed for cephalexin in combination of galbanic acid against test strain. These results signify that the low concentration of galbanic acid (100 microg/ml) potentiates the antimicrobial action of penicillin G and cephalexin suggesting a possible utilization of these compounds in combination therapy against S. aureus. (+info)