Structure-guided isolation of anti-neuroinflammatory sesquiterpene coumarins from Ferula sinkiangensis

Abstract

The resin of Ferula sinkiangensis has been traditionally utilized for treating gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, tumors, various cancers, and alopecia areata. The primary bioactive constituents, sesquiterpene coumarins, have demonstrated notable therapeutic potential against neuroinflammation. In this study, a structure-guided fractionation method was used to isolate nine novel sesquiterpene coumarins from the resin of F. sinkiangensis. These compounds were characterized and structurally elucidated using comprehensive physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques, including calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD). Anti-neuroinflammatory assays revealed that compounds 2, 3, and 6 significantly inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.63 to 12.25 μmol·L⁻¹.

Keywords

Ferula sinkiangensis / Sesquiterpene coumarins / Structure elucidation / Anti-neuroinflammatory activity

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Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China(U1903122)

Scientific Research Fund of Liaoning Province Education Department(LJKZ0945)

Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province(2022-MS-242)