The Healing Power of a Kazakhstan Flower Discovered

Ferulla iliensis

Having separated the extracts of Ferula essential oils into components, the scientists revealed the basic ones such as the cis- and trans-isomers of sec-Butyl propenyl disulfide. Then, they investigated what isomers are responsible for anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating activity of the plant. TPU scientists applied molecular modeling and reproduced the behavior of each isomer in the living body.

“We modeled the interaction of cis- and trans-isomers of a disulfide derivative with a biological target in the living organism. A biological target is an enzyme, a receptor, an ion channel or a different biological entity playing a key role in emerging or treating a disease. A medicine is effective right in the moment when it has the greatest affinity to biological target and fits to it as a key fits to a lock. Having conducted a molecular modeling, we found out that cis-isomer of sec-Butyl propenyl desulfide is ‘the key’ in Ferula. This helps the plant to acquire its therapeutic properties,” clarifies Andrey Khlebnikov.

According to scientists, this is the first time ever such study was conducted.

“Now, knowing an active component of Ferula we know how to extract it through selective synthesis in laboratory conditions but not directly out of plants. Currently, we are working on obtaining a synthetic cis-isomer of sec-Butyl propylene disulfide.

If we discover a convenient method to synthesize this compound, we’ll be able to obtain a new immunomodulating medicine against viruses and inflammatory diseases,” says the scientist.

Indeed, he adds, it is also possible to extract the valuable component out of the Ferula plant, but the process is more expensive and time-consuming.

“The chemical composition of the plant strongly depends on the season and growth conditions. For instance, a molecular composition of Ferula can greatly differ on western and southern slopes of the same hill and the concentration of a therapeutic component will vary as well. In the laboratory the synthesis runs under control and is reproducible. Especially, when it comes to large-scale industrial production of medications,” summarizes Andrey Khlebnikov.

Contacts and sources:

Citation: Chemical composition and phagocyte immunomodulatory activity of Ferula iliensis essential oils. Gulmira Özek et al. Journal of Leukocyte Biology March 3, 2017 doi: 10.1189/jlb.3A1216-518RR