The genus Ferula is composed of 180 species, including 15 species are endemic of Iran, 9 endemic species of Turkey, 7 Chinese endemic species and one Italian endemic Species and remainder grow in other countries. Ferula species are rich of different compounds including Sesquiterpene coumarins, Sesquiterpenes, Sesquiterpenes coumarin glycosides and sulfur containing compounds. According to studies, Ferula genus has different activities such as anticancer, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-epileptic and anti-oxidant. Ferula gummosa grows in different parts of Iran. In the past, it used to reduce abdominal pains, It is used as laxative and also to treat Rheumatism and diabetes. F.gummosa has a milky white gum resin extraction from the roots and stems. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effect of F. gummosa on PC-3 cells. After preparation of the gum of F.gummosa, PC-3 cells were treated with different concentrations of the gum for 48 hours. The IC50 value of the gum for PC-3 cells was calculated to be 9.14 µg/ml. The DNA fragmentation assay showed that10 µg/ml of the gum induced apoptosis in treated cells. The result of clonogenic assay showed a reduction in cell proliferation at concentrations of 4 and 6 µg/ml of the gum, and treatment of cells with 7 and 8 µg/ml of the gum led to more reduction in cell proliferation. Our results showed that, due to having different chemical compounds, the gum of F. gummosa can inhibit cancer cells via apoptosis induction. More investigations about apoptosis induction of the gum is in progress.
