The genus Ferula is composed of 180 species, including 15 species are endemic of Iran, 9 endemic species of Turkey, 7 endemic species of China, one endemic Speices for Italy, and remainder species 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 activities. Ferula gummosa grows in different parts of Iran. In the past, it used to reduce abdominal pain, to treat Rheumatism and diabetes, and also is used as laxative. F. gummosa has a milky white gum obtained from its root and bark. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effect of F. gummosa on A-375 cells. After preparation of the gum of F.gummosa, A-375 cells were treated with different concentrations of the gum for 48 hours. The IC50 value of the gum for A-375 cells was calculated to be 8 µg/ml. The DNA fragmentation assay showed that treatment of cells with lower concentrations of the gum also led to cell death and genomic DNA fragmentation. The results of wound healing assay showed that the gum inhibited the invasion of treated cells in concentration-dependent manner. The results of Micronucleus experiments showed that the gum of F. gummosa induced the formation of micronucleus and inhibited the cell proliferation in treated cells. Our results showed that, due to having different chemical compounds, the gum of F. gummosa can inhibit cancer cells prolifearion.
