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Background: The genus Ferula contains more than 130 species all over the world that its 30 species have been found in Iran. There are several studies on phyochemicals of Ferula species, but no study has been reported from Ferula ovina. Objective: Identification and structure elucidation of chemical constituents of Ferula ovina roots. Methods: Dichloromethane extract of F. ovina roots was obtained using maceration. The extract was concentrated by solvent evaporation and 20 g of the concentrated extract subjected to normal phase column (60 × 5 cm) chromatography. The elution of column was started by petroleum ether and continued by increasing amount of ethyl acetate, resulting going out compounds in the order of polarity. The volume of collecting fractions was 250 mL and those fractions that have similar spots in TLC experiment were combined. Results: Three pure major compounds, namely, stylosin, tschimgine and ferutinin were finally obtained. Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D NMR experiments. The former two compounds were monoterpene derivatives and the latter was a sesquiterpene derivative. Conclusion: Dichloromethane extract of F. ovina roots contains three known major compounds, stylosin, tschimgine and ferutinin. Regarding the presence of high amount of ferutinin as one of the most potent natural estrogens in this species, the importance of this Ferula species emerged.

Bone metastases are a severe problem in oncology, since they usually are associated with pain. External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) has been, for many years, an important component of the treatment regimen to relieve pain. We have performed a clinical study to evaluate the relationship of response to EBRT in terms of pain relief and improvement in quality of life (QoL). We were also interested in the incidence of acute toxicity with EBRT. We have prospectively evaluated 75 patients (median age 68 years, range 64-79 years) with bone metastases from prostate cancer treated with EBRT, radiographically documented from June 1999 to September 2000. Additional therapies in these patients included: second-line hormonal therapy (HT) in 20 patients, chemotherapy (CT) in 25 patients, biphosphonates in 45 patients. For all patients a pain and narcotic evaluation was done before entering the study. Assessment of response was carried out by evaluating pain relief. QoL was measured by using the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Toxicity analysis was based on the ROTG grading system. Survival was calculated by Kaplan-Meier estimate from the start of EBRT treatment until the last follow-up or death. A total of 61 out of 75 patients (81%) experienced some type of pain relief after treatment. The complete response rate was 23%. No significant difference in the response rates was found between the group treated with EBRT alone versus the groups treated with EBRT + CT or EBRT + HT. We noted a significant improvement in some of the scales of the considered EORTC-QLQC30 questionnaire. As expected all treatment-related complications were either grade 1-2 acute or subacute and transitory in nature. The group treated with EBRT + CT experienced slightly higher toxicity rates. There were no treatment-related fatalities. Forteen patients of 61 (23%) responders was alive at 12 months. Our results confirm the ability of EBRT to relieve bony pain in the majority of the cancer patients treated as measured by prospective analysis of pain scales prior to and after EBRT. Minimal side effects were experienced and QoL improved as shown by the results of the specific questionnaire.

Two new dammarane saponins identified as jujubogenin 3-O-alpha-l-arabinofuranosyl(1-->2)-[beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1-->6) beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside (2) and jujubogenin 3-O-alpha-l-arabinofuranosyl(1-->2)-[6-O-[3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl]-beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside (3) and a new lupane saponin, 3beta-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-27,28-dioic acid 28-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-[beta-d-xylopyranosyl(1-->3)]-beta-d-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-d-glucopyranoside ester (5), along with the known jujubogenin 3-O-alpha-l-arabinofuranosyl(1-->2)-[beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside (1) and 3beta-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene-27,28-dioic acid (4), were isolated from the methanol extract of the stems of Anomospermum grandifolium. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectral analysis. Antimicrobial activity screening of compounds 1-3 revealed antifungal properties against C. albicans ATCC 3153 for compounds 2 and 3. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol extracts of A. grandifolium stems were also evaluated.

Hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts of seven herbal drugs used in the folk medicine of Central America against skin disorders (Aristolochia trilobata leaves and bark, Bursera simaruba bark, Hamelia patens leaves, Piper amalago leaves, and Syngonium podophyllum leaves and bark) were evaluated for their topical anti-inflammatory activity against the Croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice. Most of the extracts induced a dose-dependent oedema reduction. The chloroform extract of almost all the drugs exhibited interesting activities with ID(50) values ranging between 108 and 498 micro g/cm(2), comparable to that of indomethacin (93 micro g/cm(2)). Therefore, the tested plants are promising sources of principles with high anti-inflammatory activity.