Planta Med 2010; 76 - P327
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1264625

Composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oil from aerial parts, stems, flowers, and leaves of Ferulago contracta Boiss. et Hausskn. from Iran

A Rustaiyan 1, R Mohebat 2, S Masoudi 3
  • 1Department of Chemistry, Science & Research Campus, Islamic Azad University, P.O. Box. 14515–775, Tehran, Iran Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic Of
  • 2Department of Chemistry, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University Yazd, Iran, Islamic Republic Of
  • 3Department of Chemistry, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic Of

The genus Ferulago comprises some 35 species, seven are found in Iran [1]. Since ancient times, Ferulago species have been used in folk medicine as sedative, tonic, digestive, aphrodisiac, and in the treatment of intestinal worms and haemorrhoids in different regions [2]. More over the plants of the genus Ferulago have been employed against ulcers, snake bite, as well as headache and diseases of the spleen [3]. The chemical investigation of some Ferulago species have shown coumarins, flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, and aromatic compounds [4]. The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts, stems, flowers, and leaves of Ferulago contracta Boiss. et Hausskn., which is endemic to Iran, was analysed by GC and GC/MS. β-Phellandrene (15.0%, 15.3%, and 25.0%) and α- phellandrene (14.4%, 11.5%, and 25.0%) were the main constituents of the aerial part, stem, and flower oil of F. contracta respectively. The other main components of the aerial parts' oil of the plant were β-eudesmol (10.9%) and (E)-β-ocimene (10.0%), the latter being also the main component (11.3%) of the stem oil. The leaf oil of the plant was characterised by higher amounts of β-eudesmol (24.5%), spathulenol (16.2%) and citronellol (11.9%).

References: 1. Rechinger, K.H. (1987). Ferulago in: Flora Iranian Umbellifarea, No. 162. Edits., Rechinger K.H. and Hedge I.C, Akademische Druck- und Verlagsanstalt, Graz, Austria, 427–433 pp.

2. Aklam, E. (1999). Pharmaceutical Botanical Investigation of Ferulago Species Growing in Western Turkey. Ph.D Thesis, Istanbul Univ., Istanbul.

3. Demetzos, C., Perdetzoylou, D., Gazouli, M., Tan, K and Economakis, C. (2000). Planta Med., 66, 560.

4. Jimenez, B. Grande, M.C. Anaya, J., Torres, P and Grande, M. (2000). Phytochemistry, 53, 1025.