LAUSR

Objectives: Phytochemical study of endemic Ferula tenuissima roots and determination of the cytotoxic activity of pure compounds on PC-3. Materials and Methods: Air-dried and powdered roots of F. tenuissima (1 kg) were extracted respectively with n-hexane, chloroform (CHCl3) and methanol (MeOH) (3x2 L, each) by sonication at 30 oC, for 24h. The extracts were then filtered. The solvents separately evaporated under reduced pressure to dryness. Compounds were isolated by chromatographic methodes and structures of compounds were determined by spectral methodes (1D-, 2D NMR and LC-MS). Compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activities versu PC-3 cell line by WST assay. Results: Phytochemical investigation of dried roots of endemic F. tenuissima performed and three sesquiterpene esters were isolated. As teferidin, ferutinin and elaocyhtrin-A; daucane-type sesquiterpenes were identified. In the bioactivity study, Ferutinin exhibitited the highest cytotoxic activity with 19.7 μM IC50 value. Conclusion: The results indicate that the main compounds of Ferula tenuissima roots are daucane sesquiterpenes and ferrutinin has potential effect on PC-3 cells.