BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF Ferula rutbaensis MEDICINAL PLANT IN IRAQI WESTERN DESERT

Abstract

Plants used in folk medicine not only represent rich sources for therapeutic materials, but it also plays a crucial role in developing completely or partially novel synthesized drugs. Mharut plant (Ferula rutbaensis) is an integral part of Bedouin therapeutic practices in the western desert of Anbar province-Iraq. Still, to date, this is the first study describing its phytochemical constituents. The plant was growing near the Iraq-Saudi Arabia borders and adapted to a wide range of soils. Traditionally, F. rutbaensis has been widely used to treat acne, stomach and bowel disorders, food poisoning and respiratory problems. Fresh plant samples were collected and morphologically characterized. Likewise, the ITS-based DNA barcoding technique was efficiently used to approve the morphological identification of F. rutbaensis. The GC-MS spectrum was adopted in the phytochemical characterization of aqueous and methanol extracts of fresh and dry plant parts. The aqueous extract of dry roots was the richest source for bioactive compounds than fresh or methanolic extracts of either fresh or dry plant parts. In general, the detected phytochemicals falling into fatty acids, terpenes, hydrocarbon alkanes, and esters. Notably, fatty acids in Oleic and Palmitic acids were the two most abundant bioactive compounds in both aqueous and methanolic extracts of plant fresh and dry roots. The detected unsaturated fatty acids and/or other bioactive components are laying behind the therapeutic properties of F. rutbaensis that can be useful ingredients to prepare Mharut-based cosmetics such as medical soaps, body lotions, skin conditioners and sunscreens. Additionally, some other components were found to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, and antimicrobial properties. Further investigations will be necessary to confirm the antimicrobial activity of F. rutbaensis extracts.