Two New Ferula (Apiaceae) Species from Central Anatolia: Ferula turcica and Ferula latialata

Abstract

Ferula turcica and Ferula latialata are two novel endemic species discovered in the Konya and Kırşehir provinces of the central Anatolian region of Türkiye. These two new species are described by morphological, ecological, carpological, and phytochemical characteristics and phylogenetic analysis. F. turcica and F. latialata are morphologically distinct from F. szowitsiana by their habit, the stalk of the terminal umbella, and the mericarp size, as well as by the profile of their secondary metabolite markers and phylogenetic placement. The phylogenetic analyses of sequences of the internal transcribed spacer in ribosomal DNA belonging to both new taxa were conducted to reveal the evolutionary relationships of the new species. Their relationships with the other related species and proposed conservation status were reviewed. The morphological, molecular, and phytochemical evidence supported the hypothesis that Ferula turcica and Ferula latialata are two new distinct species.

Novel Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene Coumarin Ethers and Sulfur-Containing Compounds from the Roots of Ferula turcica

“…Six new sesquiterpene coumarin ethers, namely turcicanol A (1), turcicanol A acetate (2), turcicanol B (3), turcica ketone (4), 11 -dehydrokaratavicinol (5), and galbanaldehyde (6), and a new sulfur-containing compound, namely turcicasulphide (7), were isolated from the dichloromethane extract of the roots of Ferula turcica (Figure 1). Turcicanol (1) was isolated as an amorphous white powder.…”

“…When the cytotoxic activity results of the pure compound turcica ketone (4), an isomer of badrakemone (12) and mogoltadone (22), were examined, the endocyclic double bond was more cytotoxic than the exocyclic double bond, as in badrakemone (12) and mogoltadone (22). The cytotoxic activity results of galbanic acid (27) and its aldehyde derivative (6) showed that the aldehyde form of C-3 increased the cytotoxic activity on HCT116 colon cancer cell lines.…”

“…The genus Ferula is one of the largest genera of the Apiaceae family and ranks third in the world and first in Asia, with approximately 185 species [5]. About 26 species of Ferula grow in Türkiye (Iran-Turan region), 16 of which are endemic, and they are commonly referred to as "Çaksir" or "Çasir" [6,7]. Ferula turcica Akalın, Miski, & Tuncay is a new species defined as a member of the section Merwia in Türkiye [6].…”

“…About 26 species of Ferula grow in Türkiye (Iran-Turan region), 16 of which are endemic, and they are commonly referred to as "Çaksir" or "Çasir" [6,7]. Ferula turcica Akalın, Miski, & Tuncay is a new species defined as a member of the section Merwia in Türkiye [6]. The use of gum-like resins (oleo-gum-resin) obtained from Ferula species for the treatment of several diseases, including cancer, for thousands of years has been recorded in various sources, including Dioscorides' De Materia Medica and Avicenna's The Canon of Medicine [8][9][10][11].…”

Ecological Analysis of Species of the Genus <i>Ferula</i> L., Distributed in Navoi Region (Uzbekistan)

“…Boissier classified the genus Ferula species grown in the Iran-Turanian region into three sections based on the shape of their petals and the number of their vittae: Peucedanoides Boiss. Scrodosma Bunge and Euferula Boiss [12] [13] [14]. 106 species are found in the CIS countries, 105 species in Central Asia, 63 species in Uzbekistan, more than 50 species in Western Tyan-Shan, about 60 species in the Pamir-Alai range, and 33 species in the western Pamir-Alai range [10].…”