Ferulenol, a Sesquiterpene Coumarin, Induce Apoptosis via Mitochondrial Dysregulation in Lung Cancer Induced by Benzo[a]pyrene: Involvement of Bcl2 Protein.

Background: Ferulenol, a sesquiterpene coumarin, was extracted from "Ferula vesceritensis" and possesses pro-oxidative and anticancer effects in different types of cancer.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine whether ferulenol has an anticancer effect by regulation the Bcl2 protein expression in lung cancer induced by benzo[a]pyrene in Wistar rats.

Methods: Rats in group 1 have received, intraperitoneally, olive oil and considered as controls, animals of group 2 were treated with 100 mg/kg of benzo[a]pyrene intraperitoneally in order to induce lung cancer for 24 weeks, the 3rd groups of rats received the ferulenol 50 mg/kg intraperitoneally after 24 weeks of administration of benzo[a]pyrene and the last group, the rats were treated with ferulenol alone 50 mg/kg.