phytochemistry and pharmacology of ferula persica boiss.: a review

ferula persica, is the well-known species of the genus ferula in iran and has two varieties: persica and latisecta. they have both been extensively used in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments. a great number of chemical compounds including sesquiterpene coumarins and polysulfides have been isolated from this plant. fresh plant materials, crude extracts and isolated components of f. persica have shown a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties including anti-pigmentation in serratia marcescens, cytotoxic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-leishmanial, cancer chemopreventive, reversal of multi-drug resistance, anti-inflammatory and lipoxygenase inhibitory activity. the present review summarizes the data available regarding the chemical constituents and biological activities of f. persica.