INFLUENCE OF ECOLOGICAL AND IN VITRO FACTORS ON SECONDARY METABOLITE PRODUCTION IN FERULA SUMBUL AND FERULA TADSHIKORUM

Medicinal plants remain an essential source of biologically active compounds widely used in traditional and modern medicine. According to the World Health Organization, more than 80% of the global population relies partially on plant-based medicines for primary healthcare. Among medicinal plant families, the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family is of particular interest due to its rich diversity of secondary metabolites, including terpenoids, coumarins, and essential oils, which exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities.The genus Ferula L. comprises more than 180 species distributed mainly in Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean region. Numerous Ferula species have long been used in traditional medicine for the treatment of nervous disorders, digestive problems, inflammatory diseases, and infectious conditions. Phytochemical investigations have revealed that Ferula species are rich in sesquiterpene coumarins, sulfur-containing compounds, resinous substances, and volatile oils, which are responsible for their biological activities.