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Copyright of SHILAP Revista de Lepidopterologia is the property of Sociedad Hispano-Luso-Americana de Lepidopterologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Many species of the genus Ferula, including Ferula communis are used medicinally to treat various diseases. Consumption of Ferula communis has been reported to have toxic effect. The study aims to evaluate the polyphenolic content, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and toxicological activities of the methanol and aqueous extracts of the edible fruit (MEFE and AEFE) and the fruit at the advanced stage of flowering (AEFAF and MEFAF) of Ferula communis. The polyphenolic (total phenolic and flavonoid) contents were evaluated using standard procedures. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, 2,2'- azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) assays. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated against selected bacteria and fungal organisms using the disk diffusion method. Acute and sub-acute toxicity of the hydroethanol extract of the edible fruit (HEFE) was evaluated in mice according to standard procedures. The results indicate that the AEFE has higher phenolic and flavonoid content than the MEFE. Whereas, the MEFAF showed a very high amount of phenols and flavonoids compared to AEFAF. AEFAF displayed a higher antioxidant activity in the DPPH and FRAP assays, whereas MEFE showed higher antioxidant activity in the ABTS assay. AEEF and MEEF showed remarkable antibacterial action. Acute and sub-acute oral administration of HEFE did not cause any toxic effect in mice. On the basis of these findings, Ferula communis fruit could serve as a potential antioxidant against oxidative stress, and a potential antibacterial agent against pathogenic bacterial infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from aqueous silver nitrate has been achieved using an extract of Ferula communis leaf as a capping, reducing, and stabilizing agent. The formation and stability of the green synthesized silver nanoparticles in the colloidal solution were monitored by absorption measurements. Silver nanoparticles were characterized by different analyses such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and FT-IR spectroscopy. The average particle size of silver nanoparticles was determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses. In this experiment, pregnant female mice were divided into four groups (G); G1 was the control and received phosphate-buffered saline, G2 received orally aqueous extract of F. communis leaf, G3 received orally AgNPs chemically prepared by NaBH4, and G4 received orally AgNPs prepared by aqueous extract of F. communis leaf. The diameter of AgNPs was 20 nm. AgNPs exhibited good catalytic reduction ability toward methyl orange in the presence of sodium borohydride with a rate constant of 2.95 x 10−4 s−1. The results revealed the occurrence of resorbed embryos in G2, G3, and G4 with different percentages. The livers of mothers and embryos at E14.5 in G2, G3, and G4 showed different levels of histopathological alteration and increase in GFAP and CTGF expressions compared with the control group. The study concluded that the oral administration of small-sized AgNPs (20 nm) prepared by Ferula extract had less toxicity than those prepared by the chemical method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new farnesylated coumarins, communiferulins A–C (1–3), and a farnesylated chromone, ferchromone (4), were isolated from the roots of an Apiaceous plant Ferula communis. Their structures including the relative configurations were elucidated by a combination of spectroscopic analyses and calculations of the NMR data. Communiferulins A–C (1–3) had dihydrofuran rings fused to C-3 and C-4 of their coumarin moieties, while 3 possessed one additional furan ring. HPLC analyses using a chiral column showed 1–4 to be racemates, and the absolute configurations of (+)-1, (–)-1, (+)-2, and (–)-2 were deduced by comparison of their ECD spectra with TDDFT-calculated spectra. Communiferulins A (1) and B (2), and ferchromone (4) showed inhibitory activities on IL-1β production from LPS-stimulated microglial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant species of Ferula genus (Apiaceae) have attracted much attention due to their different biological activities. Therefore, in this study we aimed to compare between two Ferula species (Ferula communis and Ferula hermonis) based on their phytochemical compositions, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity for methanolic extracts of Ferula species were conducted using different colorimetric assays (Folin-Ciocalteu, Aluminumchloride, DPPH, and ABTS). Further, the antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities were demonstrated against different microbes and cancer cell lines using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and MTT assays respectively. Total phenolic contents (132.1 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid contents (53.2 mg of QE/g) were higher in F communis than F hermonis. The IC50 values (DPPH assay) for F communis and F. hermonis extracts were 169.4 pg/ml and 207.5 pg/ml, whereas ABTS assay showed IC50 values of 235.9 and 319.1 pg/ml respectively. F. hermonis exhibited greater inhibition effect against the pathogenic microbial species than F. communis. However, F. communis displayed a remarkable cytotoxic activity with IC50 values ranged from 15.76 to 23.6 pg/mL compared to F. hermonis. Both F. communis and F. hermonis had comparable biological effects supporting their documented health benefits in the treatment of chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Algerian Journal of Environmental Science & Technology is the property of Algerian Journal of Environmental Science & Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Phytochemical study on the roots of a medicinal plant Ferula communis L. (Apiaceae) resulted in the isolation of 20 sesquiterpenes including 12 previously undescribed compounds, dauferulins A–L (1 − 12). The detailed spectroscopic analysis revealed 1 – 12 to be daucane-type sesquiterpenes with a p -methoxybenzoyloxy group at C-6. The absolute configurations of 1 – 12 were deduced by analysis of the ECD spectra. Dauferulins A–L (1 – 12), known sesquiterpenes (13 − 20), and analogues (14a – 14l) derived from 6- O - p -methoxybenzoyl-10α-angeloyloxy-jeaschkeanadiol (14) were evaluated for their effects on AMPK phosphorylation in human hepatoma HepG2 cells as well as inhibitory activities against erastin-induced ferroptosis on human hepatoma Hep3B cells and IL-1β production from LPS-treated murine microglial cells. [Display omitted] • The roots of Ferula communis L. were investigated to isolate 20 sesquiterpenes. • Among them, dauferulins A–L were assigned as new daucane-type sesquiterpenes. • Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis. • Daucane-type sesquiterpenes and their analogues were evaluated for effects on AMPK phosphorylation. • Their anti-ferroptosis anti-neuroinflammatory activities were also assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intention of this study was to compare the different parts of Tunisian Ferula communis via their fatty acids, essential oils and phenolic compounds. Results showed that the lipid fraction of fruits and leaves was characterized by the predominance of oleic acid. Erucic and linoleic acids were the most abundant in stems while linoleic and palmitic acids in flowers. F. communis essential oils were defined by four chemotypes, namely isoshyobunone/6-tert-butyl-4-methylcoumarin in stems; α-eudesmol/ caryophyllene oxide in leaves; caryophyllene/myrcene in flowers and α-gurjunene/hexadecanoic acid in fruits. So, oxygenated sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons represented the major classes of stem essential oil. Monoterpene hydrocarbons were the predominant classes of leaves and flowers. Fruit essential oil was predominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Resorcinol and ferulic acid were the main phenolic compounds in flowers but chlorogenic and ferulic acides in leaves. Stems were rich in ferulic acid and quercetin while leaves in coumarin and tannic acid. Besides to the high variability among F. communis parts, this plant contained high amounts of bioactive compounds with various health benefits attributed to their antioxidant potential.

The intention of this study was to compare the different parts of Tunisian Ferula communis via their fatty acids, essential oils and phenolic compounds. Results showed that the lipid fraction of fruits and leaves was characterized by the predominance of oleic acid. Erucic and linoleic acids were the most abundant in stems while linoleic and palmitic acids in flowers. F. communis essential oils were defined by four chemotypes, namely isoshyobunone/6-tert-butyl-4-methylcoumarin in stems; α-eudesmol/caryophyllene oxide in leaves; caryophyllene/myrcene in flowers and α-gurjunene/hexadecanoic acid in fruits. So, oxygenated sesquiterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons represented the major classes of stem essential oil. Monoterpene hydrocarbons were the predominant classes of leaves and flowers. Fruit essential oil was predominated by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. Resorcinol and ferulic acid were the main phenolic compounds in flowers but chlorogenic and ferulic acides in leaves. Stems were rich in ferulic acid and quercetin while leaves in coumarin and tannic acid. Besides to the high variability among F. communis parts, this plant contained high amounts of bioactive compounds with various health benefits attributed to their antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doğada yetişen bitkiler yüzyıllardır çeşitli hastalıkların tedavisinde kullanılmış, birçok ilacın hammaddesini oluşturmanın yanında birçoğu da yüksek oranda zehirleyici özelliğe sahiptir. Ferula communis (çakşır otu) günümüzde şifalı bitki olarak tedavi ve beslenme amaçlı tüketilmektedir. Metabolik korunmada anahtar rol oynayan karaciğer; zehirlenmede en fazla etkilenen organdır. Bu yazıda ferula communis tüketimi sonrası gelişen toksik karaciğer hastalığı olgusu sunmaktayız.

We investigated the hepatoprotective potential of Ferula communis extract for CCI4 induced liver damage. We used six groups of rats: group 1, untreated control; group 2, CCl4 treated (hepatotoxic); group 3, treated with 150 mg/kg F. communis; group 4, treated with 300 mg/kg F. communis; group 5, treated with CCl4 + 150 mg/kg F. communis; and group 6, treated with CCl4 + 300 mg/kg F. communis. Liver damage was produced by injection of 1 ml/kg CCI4 twice/week. Extracts of F. communis, 150 and 300 mg/kg/day, were administered for 8 weeks. The effects of F. communis were assessed by measuring aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and total bilirubin (T-BIL) levels, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the liver. The histology and immunohistochemistry of liver tissue were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and caspase 3 and 8-OHdG immunostaining. F. communis extract produced significant reductions in elevated levels of ALT, AST, GGT and T-BIL and increased levels of GPx and SOD in rats treated with CCl4. F. communis extract decreased CCl4 induced 8-OHdG formation and caspase 3 activation significantly in hepatocytes, especially at the 150 mg/kg dose. Our findings demonstrate the potential efficacy of F. communis for attenuating CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have reported quantitative data about the levels of prenylated coumarins in Ferula sp. Yet, the toxicity of Ferula sp. is only due to the presence of prenylated coumarins and to their concentrations and all studies suggest the existence of several chemotypes within the same species or even within the same variety. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis of different chemotypes in french Ferula sp. in relationship with the botanical species. In this objective, the species of giant fennels and their concentrations in prenylated coumarins were explored. Three different species or subspecies of giant fennel were detected in continental France: F. communis communis communis L., F. communis catalaunica microcarpa Cauwet-Marc and F. glauca L. Surprisingly, the three species/subspecies of giant fennels were found to be located in exclusive and well separated geographical areas. In French giant fennels, ferulenol and ferprenin were detected. Distribution of ferulenol and ferprenin were found to be different between botanical varieties, but also according to the season, the soil and the altitude. Our study seems to suggest that among F. communis species, the same plant can be regarded as poisonous at one point and another as non-poisonous. • Ferula communis is the most widespread species of the genus in France. • Ferulenol and ferprenin were detected in leaves of Ferula of France. • Distribution of ferulenol and ferprenin is different between botanical varieties. • Concentrations of prenylated coumarins are highly variable between plants. • Season, soil and altitude seem to influence concentrations of prenylated coumarins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it was aimed to determine essential oil and extracts, which are known as Ferula communis and obtained from naturally grown giant fennel plants in Ağri province, antioxidant effects and antimicrobial effects against Chryseobacterium indologenes which cause soft rot in certain vegetables and fruits in vitro. Also was determined the chemical composition of essential oils used in this study. For this purpose, 8 C. indologenes isolates, which were determined to be soft decay agents in cucumber, tomato, pepper and squash, were used in previous studies. Laboratory trials were established in triplicate and penicillin and kanamycin antibiotics, which are commercially available, were used as positive controls in the experiments. According to the obtained results; It has been observed that essential oils gained from F. communis plant have bactericidal activity against bacterial pathogens in the ratio of 12-21 mm. However, none of the extracts obtained from the F. communis plant used in the study were found to have antibacterial activity against C. indolenes species. Antibiotics used as positive controls have also been observed to have no effect against pathogens as in the extracts. As a result, it has been determined that the essential oil used in the study has a lethal effect against 8 different C. indologenes which have soft caries pathogens, but the extracts and antibiotics used have no antimicrobial effect. In addition, the chemical composition of essential oil determined to be effective in the study has been determined. For this reason, it is considered that the essential oil obtained from F. communis plant can be used successfully in the control against C. indologenes pathogens. This result shows how much the F. communis essential oil has a great importance in control against these pathogens very resistant to chemical drugs. In this study, antioxidant capacity of F. communis methanol, acetone, chloroform, hexane extract and essential oil was determined by DPPH and ABTS method, phenolic substance contents and folin was determined by cycaltio method. Water extract had highest ABTS free radical scavenging activity with 88.07% (0.05 mg / ml), (DPPH) capacity with 52,04% (50 μg/ml) and highest amound of phenolic compound with 13,25 (mg GAE/gr). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to observe the effects of Ferula communis L. ssp. communis on seed germination and seedling growth of barley and cucumber. Different concentrations of the extract showed inhibition in all parameters. The maximum reduction was recorded in the germination of barley (60 %) and a lowest vigor index noted when 50 percent leaf extract was applied. The maximum decrease in root (91.88 %) and shoot (82.46 %) length in the barley seedlings occurred in 50 percent flower extract. The maximum reduction in root fresh weight (80.28 %), dry weight (71.43 %) and shoot fresh weight (80.33 %) was found in 50 percent flower extract application and whole plant extract was responsible for 50 percent reduction in the shoot dry weight of barley seedlings. No germination in cucumber was observed in 50 percent flower extract application. The maximum reduction of germination rate (53 %) and vigor index in other groups was again around 50 percent with fruit extract application. The greatest reduction was recorded in root (62.16 %) and shoot (27.55 %) length, root fresh (75.86 %) and dry (36.59 %) weights, and shoot fresh (56.76 %) and dry (13.64 %) weights in cucumber seedlings after applying 50 percent leaf extract. Roots were more affected than shoots and the extracts taken from flowers and leaves were more suppressive as compared to the fruits and whole plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigated the effect of adding Ferula Communis to building materials. Four ratios of this additive (2, 4, 6, and 8%) were used to replace gypsum in plasterboard and sand in mortar. Based on thermo-physical characterisation, it was observed that increasing the Ferula Communis content in the basic materials improved their thermal properties and lightness. However, despite this promising enhancement, increasing the additive's concentration negatively impacted the composites' mechanical performance. Thus, it was found that incorporating 8% of the aggregate into the plaster and 6% into the mortar decreased their mechanical strength by 44.62% and 91.2% during bending, respectively. Additionally, compression experiments of the mortar matrix showed an approximate reduction of 87.93%. According to these results, 4% aggregate in mortar and 8% aggregate in plaster were selected to be integrated into a bio-based wall, which was numerically simulated using the heat transfer equation. The obtained results prove the wall's thermal ability to reduce the average heating and cooling energy loads by 13 kWh/m 2. year calculated over the four orientations (north, east, south, and west) which is equivalent to 6.47 $ / m 2 of energy savings and 5.64 kgCO 2 eq/m 2. year of avoided C O 2 emissions. • Development of composites with plaster, mortar, and Ferula Communis (FC). • Thermo-mechanical characterisation using the two-box method (EI700) and H10KL test machine. • Microstructure analysis with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). • Analysis of thermal performance of optimal bio-wall using numerical simulations and heat transfer equation. • Evaluation of energy requirements, annual cost savings and avoided CO 2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, it is aimmed to be determined the antimicrobial effects of the volatile oil and its extracts in vitro conditions, extracted from wild forms of plant which is known as Giant Fennel (Ferula communis) around the world and grows naturally at Agrı province of Turkey against Bacillus pumilus isolates, which are the agent of Soft Rot for some fruits and vegetables. For this purpose, 18 isolates of B. pumilus which have been determined as the agent of Soft Rot in previous studies performed in plants such as potatos, onions, strawberries, melons and watermelons. As the positive control, Penicillin antibiotics sold as ready producs were used. According to the obtained results, the volatile oils have the bactericidal effect of 10-14 mm against 18 isolates of B. pumilus. However, none of the extracts obtained from F. communis has antibacterial effect against B. pumilus isolates. It has been observed that the antibiotics used as the positive control has the antibacterial effect of 12-31 mm, But merely with bacteriostatic effect. In conclusion, the volatile oils has the lethal effect against 18 B. pumilus isolates which are agents of Soft Rot. It is assesed that these volatile oils extracted from Giant Fennel (F. communis) can be used against these Soft Rot pathogens, because penicillin antibiotics used has only prohibitor effect at struggles against these pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Les intoxications végétales chez les ruminants sont assez fréquentes mais elles restent méconnues et d’importance difficile à quantifier du fait de la diversité des plantes toxiques qui en sont responsables. Les impacts des intoxications végétales dans le Bassin méditerranéen devraient être mieux évalués pour les distinguer de ceux causés par des infections. En effet, les vétérinaires établissent difficilement un diagnostic d’intoxication végétale et incriminent souvent les agents infectieux. Il est donc important de réunir un maximum d’informations objectives, ce qui est souvent assez délicat au regard des informations relativement approximatives dans les descriptions des cas. Certaines plantes responsables d’intoxication ont une répartition très large au sud et au nord de la Méditerranée, y compris en France. D’autres sont au contraire relativement spécifiques des milieux désertiques du Maghreb et sont retrouvées notamment en Algérie. Les animaux les plus fréquemment concernés sont les ovins (61,5 p. 100), les bovins (24,7 p. 100), les dromadaires (9 p. 100) et les caprins (4,6 p. 100). Les intoxications rencontrées chez les ruminants sont provoquées par Hyoscyamus muticus spp. falezlez (Coss.) Maire, Ferula communis L., Thapsia garganica, Hypericum crispum L., Tetraena cornuta (Coss.) Beier & Thulin, Drimia maritima (L.) Stearn, Quercus coccifera L., Nerium oleander L., Cistus monspeliensis L., Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn., Sorghum drummondii (Stend.) Nees ex Millsp. & Chase, Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn, Malva parviflora L., Oxalis pes-caprae L., Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers., Calobota saharae, Diplotaxis harra (Forssk.) Boiss.

Ferula communisis a showy herbaceous plant typical of the Mediterranean area where it is used as a traditional medicine. The plant is a source of bioactive compounds such as daucane sesquiterpenes and prenylated coumarins.In Italy, most of phytochemical studies focused on Sardinian populations where poisonous and nonpoisonous chemotypes were found, while investigations on peninsular populations are scarce. In this work, we report the chemical characterisation of the essential oils obtained from different parts ofF. communisgrowing in central Italy. The chemical profiles of the plant parts, as detected by GC-FID and GC-MS, were different from each other and from those reported in insular populations. Notably, α-pinene (10.5%), γ-terpinene (7.6%) and hedycariol (8.4%) were the major volatile constituents in flowers; α-pinene (55.9%), β-pinene (16.8%) and myrcene (5.9%) in fruits; β-eudesmol (12.1%), α-eudesmol (12.1%) and hedycariol (10.3%) in leaves; (E)-β-farnesene (9.5%), β-cubebene (8.2%) and (E)-caryophyllene (7.2%) in roots. The volatile profiles detected did not allow to classify the investigated central Italy population into the poisonous and nonpoisonous chemotypes previously described in Sardinia. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Biomagnetic material (MFC) was synthesized via simple co-precipitation and used as biosorbent for the removal of acid red 25 (AR25) under optimized conditions. The characteristics of MFC were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Boehm titration and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Optimum removal of AR25 was achieved at pH=5.0. The equilibrium data were well described by the Sips and Freundlich models. Taguchi methodology was employed to optimize the biosorption experiments. 411.56 mg/g and 96.8% were obtained as the biosorption capacity and removal efficiency, respectively, at the optimum conditions of ionic strength (0.5 M), influent volume (300 L) and MFC dosage (4 g). The contact time for removal of 96% AR25 in two-stage batch system is 400.8 min which is lower than the single-stage treatment process (895 min). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxicity of freshFerula communis(Apiaceae) among cattle in North Jordan is a recently reported problem. Ferula toxicity “Ferulosis” is still ambiguous and not fully understood. Metabolomic approach was applied in the present study to address this problem. Metabolomics based on Attenuated Total Reflectance/Fourier Transformed-Infrared (ATR/FT-IR) results showed that chloroform extract of freshF. communishas constituents significantly different from those detected in dried plants. Additionally, metabolomics based on HPLC analysis revealed a chromatographic peak with higher concentration in fresh samples. Based on the mass fragments (620, 549, 371, and 274) m/z and neutral losses of acetyl groups (549–505) m/z and (505–461) m/z this compound was identified as acetylated ferulenol-oxy-ferulenol (AFOF). [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Ferula communis (L.), a plant belonging to Apiaceae, is widely present in Sardinia, Italy. Currently, interest in F. communis focuses on the presence of two chemotypes in the wild. One chemotype is poisonous to animals, whereas the other chemotype is non-poisonous. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) has been extracted and partially purified from the two chemotypes of F. communis. The biochemical characterization of the enzymes showed significant differences. In particular, while the two PPOs were not able to use 6- and 7-hydroxycoumarin as substrates, they showed distinct specificity for 6,7- and 7,8-dihydroxycoumarin. Significant differences in the enzyme behavior towards common PPO inhibitors were also observed. In addition, activation energy and activation energy for denaturation were determined, showing significant differences between FP-PPO and FNP-PPO, particularly for denaturation kinetics. The possible roles of the two PPOs in determining differences in composition and toxicity of the two F. communis chemotypes are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The plant defensive activities of the hexane and ethanolic extracts from Dittrichia viscosa and Ferula communis against generalist herbivorous insects (Spodoptera littoralis and Myzus persicae), are described here. Additionally we tested for their effects on nematodes (Meloidogyne javanica) and plants (Lactuca sativa and Lolium perenne). These plant extracts showed variable biological effects, their aphid antifeedant action being the most important. The bioassay-guided search for aphid antifeedant compounds resulted in the isolation of tomentosin (1), inuviscolide (2) and ferulenol (3). Tomentosin (1) rich extracts of D. viscosa were more active than ferulenol (3) rich extracts from F. communis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mediterranean countries are faced with severe water shortage and unavailability of agricultural land that limit the cultivation of energy crops that supply the feedstock for biofuel production. A possibility would be to use Ferula communis that is encountered in Cyprus and other Mediterranean countries, growing wild in pastures. Its flower stalks contain sugars and starch that were measured to be 0.50–0.55 kg kg−1, based on dry material. The ethanol is produced by fermentation of the juice extracted by crashing and pressing the flower stalks of the plant. The first stage of the process was cooking the juice at a temperature of 95 °C, combined by liquefaction and saccharification of the starch using enzymes, like alpha amylase and glucoamylase. The process was followed by fermentation of the juice for three days and finally distillation of ethanol. The alcohol yield per kilogram dry stalks was 55.8 cm3 kg−1, compared to the theoretical value of 57.3 cm3 kg−1, mainly due to the incomplete fermentation of the sugars. The plant seems to be a potential energy plant for ethanol production in arid regions cultivated on degraded land with minimal attention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Plants of the genera Ferula and Ferulago are known for their complex content in bioactive secondary metabolites such as coumarins, phenylpropanoids, and sesquiterpenes. We used the ground parts of Ferula communis subsp. communis, Ferula glauca subsp. glauca and Ferulago campestris as natural sources for the isolation of four coumarins (CU-1 to CU-4), two phenylpropanoids (PE-1 and PE-2), one polyacetylene (PA-1) and 16 daucane esters (DE-1 to DE-16). The cytotoxic activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated against a panel of seven human tumor cell lines. Fourteen of the daucane derivatives showed antiproliferative activity at least against one of the human tumor cell lines tested, four compounds (DE-5, DE-8, DE-11, and DE-16) were active against all the tested cell lines. Among them DE-11 was the most cytotoxic compound against HeLa (4.4±0.7μM), A549 (2.8±1.4μM), HL-60 (2.6±0.4μM), K562 (26.5±6.0μM) RS 4;11 (1.7±0.3μM) and SEM (2.4±0.1μM) cell lines, while DE-8 was the most active against Jurkat (3.3±0.8μM). Preliminary structure–activity relationship suggests that the most active compounds in the daucane series present the trans fusion of the penta- and hepta-atomic cycles, and lipophylic ester groups linked to position 6. Isomeric derivatives such as DE-8 and DE-9 or DE-3, DE-4, and DE-5 exhibited significant differences in their IC50 supporting that the β orientation for the ester group in the position 2 enhances the cytotoxic activity. Furthermore, the pro-apoptotic effect of the most active compounds evaluated in Jurkat cell line showed that these compounds are able to induce apoptosis in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Our findings suggest the potential role of daucane derivatives as models for the development of proapoptotic compounds. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Seventeen Maltese propolis samples were studied by GC–MS after silylation. They exhibited the typical Mediterranean chemical profile, rich in diterpene compounds (18–92% of TIC, GC–MS): 32 individual diterpenes were identified; 22 of them were present in each specimen. The other abundant compound group was that of sugars and sugar derivatives. In some samples, however, another compound group was observed (0–12% of TIC, GC–MS); the corresponding mass spectra were consistent with mono- and sesquiterpenyl esters of substituted benzoic acids. Two new propolis constituents of this group, daucane diterpene esters of hydroxybenzoic acids, were isolated. Their origin is suggested to be Ferula communis, as they are taxonomic markers for this species. All propolis samples were active against Staphylococcus aureus but only those with high concentrations of terpenyl esters showed antifungal activity against Candida albicans. The present results confirm that Mediterranean propolis is a valuable natural product with potential to improve human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Pleurotus eryngii and P. ferulae, two species belonging to the P. eryngii complex, synthesize laccases, ligninolytic enzymes that play a role in the host–pathogen interaction in the first step of infection. Ecological studies have shown that although both fungi have been recognized as saprophytes, P. eryngii weakly pathogenic when colonizing the roots and stems of Eryngium campestre, whereas P. ferulae is mostly pathogenic to Ferula communis. The paper describes the genomic organization of four putative laccase genes (lac1, lac2, lac3, and lac5-like gene; gene names were assigned on the basis of sequence homologies) of P. eryngii and P. ferulae. The mRNA expression and enzymatic activity of the laccases were analysed under culture conditions where a source of lignin (wheat bran) or lyophilized roots of E. campestre or F. communis were present. These experiments indicated that the four lac-like genes were differentially regulated in the two mushrooms. Specifically, the addition of the lyophilized roots of the respective host plant to the culture media induced an advance in the mRNA expression of the four lac-like genes and a seven-fold higher total laccase activity in P. ferulae than in P. eryngii. The results obtained are discussed in relation to the possible role of laccases in the interaction of P. eryngii and P. ferulae with their respective host. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Ferula communis is a kind of plant believed to have curative properties in many diseases. A 19-year-old boy presented with cutaneous vesiculobullous lesions on erythematous base and he was diagnosed as phytophotodermatitis caused by F. communis. To our knowledge, there is no any other case of contact dermatitis due to Ferula spp. in the literature. We have reported this phytophotodermatitis case to discuss the probable harmful results of traditional medicine because the plant is widely used in our country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simple HPLC method was developed to distinguish between ‘poisonous’ and ‘non-poisonous’ chemotypes of Ferula communis. The method was performed on a C8 reverse phase analytical column using a binary eluent (aqueous TFA 0.01%–TFA 0.01% in acetonitrile) under gradient condition. The two chemotypes showed different fingerprints. The identification of five coumarins and eleven daucane derivatives by HPLC-diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) and HPLC-MS is described. A coumarin, not yet described, was detected. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The giant fennel, Ferula communis L. (Apiaceae) is a circum-Mediterranean species responsible of severe haemorrhagic intoxication of livestock. Electrophoretic analysis of 14 putative enzyme loci was carried out to assess genetic differentiation among poisonous and non-poisonous chemotypes of F. communis in Sardinia. Genetic structuring characterises all the five populations examined. However, differentiation was higher between poisonous and non-poisonous populations (P<0.00001), and was independent from geographic distances, suggesting a reduced gene flow between the two chemotypes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The rDNA of five accessions of the giant fennel ( Ferula communis, Umbelliferae) was analyzed. The restriction map of Bam H 1, Eco R 1 and Hind III sites was established for one of them. Variation between the five accessions was observed at several levels. Three have a homogeneous repeat size, whereas the two others are heterogeneous, one presenting an additional site heterogeneity. However, the general pattern of organization is very similar and there is much greater similarity between the Ferula accessions than with the pattern observed for carrot, a plant from the same family. Variation was also observed in the copy number of the rDNA repeats, which ranges from ≃ 900 to 3 500. The results demonstrate that the five accessions can be clearly differentiated by molecular analysis of their DNA although they belong to the same species or subspecies. They also demonstrate that different isolated populations of a species evolve independently, thus shedding light on the molecular mechanisms of speciation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]