A Comprehensive Review on Secondary Metabolites, Nutritive Value, and Pharmacological Effects of Prangos ferulacea (L.) Lindl.

The Apiaceae family includes the genus Prangos, which comprises approximately 30 species in various regions including Iran worldwide. In the Iranian rangelands, 15 species of this genus thrive. Species of Prangos ferulacea have been used as emollients, carminatives, tonics, anti-flatulents, and anthelmintics in traditional Iranian medicine. Several studies have investigated the chemical composition of the essential oils derived from the aerial parts, fruits, seeds, flowers, stems, and leaves of P. ferulacea collected from different locations of Iran. This plant also has high nutritional value for livestock. The biological activities of the secondary metabolites in the oils of P. ferulacea were determined. Terpenoid compounds that have long been recognized as the primary constituents of the essential oil extracted from the leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits of P. ferulacea, demonstrated substantial antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, antiviral, antispasmodic, and antidiabetic activities. The presence of coumarins, alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenoids in this plant may facilitate the discovery of herbal medications, positioning them as potential active agents against diseases such as diabetes, cancer, HIV, and other disorders. Therefore, we believe that this review will rekindle interest in the often-overlooked P. ferulacea and its remarkable biosynthetic capabilities.