bisabolol and jaeschkeanadiol

The analysis of the essential oil from rhizome and roots of Ferula hermonis Boiss. (Apiaceae) by GC-FID, GC-MS and ¹³C NMR allowed the identification of 79 constituents, more than 90% of the oil, the major one being α-pinene (43.3%), followed by α-bisabolol (11.1%) and the unusual acetylenic compound 3,5-nonadiyne (4.4%). The antifungal activity of the essential oil before and after fractionation was assayed against several yeasts and filamentous fungi. Purification of the active fractions afforded 3,5-nonadiyne, α-bisabolol, jaeschkeanadiol angelate, α-bisabolol oxide B and trans-verbenol, as well as two purified fractions, one of them (JB73) with 73% of jaeschkeanadiol benzoate and the other with 50% of spathulenol. Determination of MIC and MFC values of all these products evidenced strong antifungal activities for JB73 and 3,5-nonadiyne. Particularly, against the dermatophyte Tricophyton mentagrophytes, MIC and MFC values were 0.25 μg/ml for JB73, and 8 μg/ml for 3,5-nonadiyne, the former being more active than amphotericin B and nystatin.

Topics: Alkynes; Antifungal Agents; Bicyclic Monoterpenes; Chemical Fractionation; Ferula; Fungi; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Monocyclic Sesquiterpenes; Monoterpenes; Oils, Volatile; Plant Roots; Rhizome; Sesquiterpenes