## 1 Introduction  
_Ferula_ is a diverse genus of flowering plants belonging to the Apiaceae family, which primarily grow in dry and temperate regions of the Euro-Asian continent, surrounded by India and China in the east, the Canary Islands in the west, Central Europe in the north, and North Africa in the south [1]. This genus comprises about 180 recognized species [2], and it is renowned for its distinctive and often aromatic plants due to the presence of volatile essential oils and sulfide compounds. There are 94 species distributed in the erstwhile USSR, 32 species in Iran, 25 species in China, 19 species in the western Himalayas, 18 species in Turkey, 15 species in Pakistan, 4 species in Saudi Arabia, and 3 species in India [3]. Among these, 15 species are endemic to Iran, 9 species to Turkey, 7 species to China, and 1 species to Italy [4]. Since ancient times, different species of _Ferula_ have been used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases across countries [5]. Asafoetida is an oleo-gum-resin obtained from the stems of _Ferula_ plants, and in many parts of the world, it is used as a traditional medicine and as a flavoring agent in various cuisines [6]; its dual role in cuisine and traditional medicine is notable in several cultures. Asafoetida is commonly used in Indian,Iranian, and some Middle Eastern dishes, and it is known for enhancing the flavor of dishes, especially in vegetarian recipes. It is a common ingredient in spice blends and seasoning for lentils, vegetables, and rice dishes [7; 8]. In the folk medicine of Russia, Iran, China, Turkey, Pakistan, and India, asafoeftida is often called \"Asafetida\", \"Rechina fena (Zaz)\", \"A-wei\", \"Setan bokosu (Seytan tersi)\", \"Anjadana (Kama, Anguza)\", and \"Hengu (Hing, Hingu, Ingu, etc. )\", respectively [9]. It is traditionally used to treat various health issues, such as digestive disorders, respiratory problems, and even as a remedy for headaches and toothaches [10; 11; 12]. The digestive-stimulating effect of Asafoeftida is the most common beneficial physiological effect. In addition, other parts of some _Ferula_ species also have edible and medicinal values. For instance, some nomadic peoples in central Iran use fried aerial parts of _F. assafetida_ and some seasonings as carminative foods. In Brazil, a hot-water extract from the dried stems and leaves of _F. assafetida_ is used as an aphrodisiac that is orally taken for the treatment of erectile dysfunction [13]. People in Pakistan extensively use the _F. narthex_ Boiss herb for the treatment of coughs, fever, scorpion stings, hysteria, gastric dysfunction, constipation, habitual miscarriage, and toothache [14]. In Saudi Arabia, the rhizomes of _F. communis_ are called alkalakh, which are used locally as a traditional medicine to treat skin infections, while its roasted flower buds are used to treat fever and dysentery [15]. In Lebanon and Syria, the roots of _F. hermonis_ Boiss are used in folk medicine to reduce plasma cholesterol levels and total weight, as well as to treat skin infections, stomach diseases, erectile dysfunction, fever, dysentery, frostbite, and hysteria [16]. Phyochemical studies of the oleo-gum-resin, roots, seeds, and aerial parts of more than 70 species have revealed coumarins [17], phenylpropanoids [18], lignans [19], steroidal esters [20], organic acid glycosides [20], aromatic acids [21], sesquiterpenes [22], monoterpenes [23], benzofurans [24], and sulfur-containing derivatives [25] of the _Ferula_ genus. Among these constituents, sesquiterpenes and their derivatives, especially sesquiterpene coumarins, sesquiterpene phenylpropanoids, and sesquiterpene chromomes, have attracted the attention of scientists due to the diversity of their chemical structures, as well as their extensive and promising biological properties, such as antioxidative [26], anti-inflammatory [27], antibacterial [28], antitumor [29], and antiviral [30] properties.