Chemical Composition and Bioactivities of Ferulago setifolia K. Koch. Essential Oil: Antifungal, Insecticidal and Antiproliferative Potential

The essential oil extracted from the aerial parts of Ferulago setifolia K. Koch was analysed using GC/MS, revealing 33 compounds, with 2,3,4-trimethyl benzaldehyde (41.24%), α-pinene (21.58%) and sabinene (10.46%) as major constituents. The biological activity profile of essential oils, including antifungal, insecticidal and antiproliferative activities, was documented for the first time. The oil demonstrated significant antifungal activity, completely inhibiting the growth of Verticillium dahliae at higher doses and showing dose-dependent inhibition against Alternaria solani. It also exhibited moderate insecticidal activity against Rhyzopertha dominica and Tribolium confusum, achieving a mortality rate of up to 49.3% after 48 h at a 5% concentration. Furthermore, the essential oil showed potent antiproliferative effects against a wide range of cancer cell lines, including lung (Calu1), breast (MCF7), colon (HT29) and gynaecological (HeLa) cancers, while maintaining low cytotoxicity on normal cell lines (MRC5, FL). The IC50 values ranged from 8.13 μg/mL (A2780) to 92.88 μg/mL (HT29), with notable results such as 22.84 μg/mL for Calu1 and 58.26 μg/mL for MCF7. Compared to the standard anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil, the essential oil exhibited superior or comparable activity against certain cancer cell lines. The results showed that essential oils have specificity against cancer cell lines. These findings suggest that the essential oil of F. setifolia holds potential as a natural source for antifungal, insecticidal and antiproliferative agents. The results contribute significantly to the pharmacological and agricultural potential of this species. © 2025 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.