Studies On The Chemical Constituents Of Ferula Teterrima, F.sinkiangensia And F.ferulaeoides

The alcohol extracts of the roots of Ferula teterrima and F. sinkiangensis exhibit vitro cytotoxicity against several human tumor cell lines. In order to find out the bio-active substances, we have investigated the chemical constituents of the EtOAc-soluble fractions of alcohol extracts of F. teterrima, F. sinkiangensis and F. ferulaeoides.Fourteen compounds were isolated from the roots of F. teterrima. Ten of them belong to sesquiterpene-coumarins: Isofeterin (1), Feterin (2), Badrakemone (3), Badrakemin (4), Badrakemin acetate (5), Colladonin (6), Samarcandone (7), Samarcandin (8), Samarcandin acetate (9), and Feselol (10). Others were Pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (11), Pregn-3,20-dione (12), Latifolone (13), and Umbelliferone (14). Compound 1 was a new one. Compounds 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 were obtained for the fisrt time from F. teterrima. From the roots of F. sinkiangensis, ten sesquiterpene-coumarins were obtained, and their structures were identified as Lehmannolone (15), Lehmannolol (16), Sinkianone (17), Fekrynol (18), Ent-colladonin (19), Fekolone (20), Farnesiferol B (21), Isosamarcandin (22), Episamarcandin (23) and Farnesiferol C (24), respectively. Compound 16 was a new one. The absolute configuration of 15 was established by CD spectrum. For the first time, compound 17 was abtained from nature and all of other compounds were abtained from F. sinkiangensis. Guaiol (25), 2,3-Dihydro-7-hydroxy-25*,3R*-di methyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadienyl]-furo[3,2-c]coumarin (26), 2,3-Dihydro-7-hydroxy-2R*,3R*-dimethyl-2-[4,8-dimethyl-3(E),7-nonadienyl]-furo[3,2-c]coumarin (27) and Ammoresinol (28), were obtained from the roots of F. ferulaeoides. Compound 28 was abtained from the Ferula genus for the first time. Structures of all compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. Assignments of all protons and carbons of known compounds 2, 4, 7, 8, 9,17,18, 20 and 22 were made by detailed analysis of 2D NMR spectrum for the first time.Unfortunately, the antitumor test in vitro of pure compounds with MTT method didn't show activities against several human tumor cell lines.