Anti-inflammatory sesquiterpenes from the root oil of Ferula hermonis

Overview & Synopsis

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 anti-inflammatory 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 anti-inflammatory effect of both 1 and 2 was observed with the dose of 100 mg/kg, while compound 3 did not show any anti-inflammatory activity; conversely it produced a significant pro-inflammatory effect 2 and 3 h after carrageenan injection.