International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

Oleo-gum-resin of Ferula asafoetida: A traditional culinary spice with versatile pharmacological activities

    , , ,

Author Affiliations

  • 1Dept of Amraze Niswan wa Qabalat (OBG), National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore, Karnataka, INDIA
  • 2Dept. of Ilmus Saidla (Pharmacy), National Institute of Unani Medicine, Bangalore, Karnataka, INDIA
  • 3Dept. of Ilmul Advia (Pharmacology), Al-Farooq Unani Medical College, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, INDIA

Res. J. Recent Sci., Volume 4, Issue (IVC-2015), Pages 16-22, (2015)

Abstract

Ferula asafoetida (family: Umbelliferae) is a monoecious, herbaceous, perennial plant. Oleo-gum-resin of Ferula asafoetida is exudates obtained from the rhizome of this plant. Asafoetida is inhabitant to central Asia, eastern Iran to Afghanistan. However, asafoetida is not inhabitant of India. It is grown chiefly in Afghanistan and Iran, and from these areas it is exported to the entire world. Asafoetida is in use from ancient times in Indian medicine and cookery as a spice. It is also used in folk phytomedicine since antiquity in traditional medicine for the treatment of several neurological (epilepsy, paralysis, hysterias and depression), gastrointestinal (intestinal parasites, flatulence, weak digestion, stomach ache), respiratory (influenza, asthma), and reproductive disorders (premature labour, unusually painful, difficult and excessive menstruation, leucorrhoea, and infertility). Traditionally, it has carminative, antispasmodic, digestive, aphrodisiac, emmenagogue, sedative and diuretic properties. Recently, antispasmodic and hypotensive, antinociceptive, antioxidant, anxiolytic, aphrodisiac, antiviral, antidiabetic, gastric anti-ulcer, antiseptic, nephroprotective, neuroprotective and anticancer properties are proven pharmacologically and biologically in animal models and humans. This article is an attempt to explore and assemble the various pharmacological actions of the oleo-gum-resin of Ferula asafoetida reported till date.

References

  1. Golmohammadi F. Medical plant of Ferula assafoetida and its cultivating, main characteristics and economical importance in South Khorasan province - east of Iran, Technical Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences., 3(18), 2334-46 (2013)
  2. Mahendra P. and Bisht S. Ferula asafoetida: Traditional uses and pharmacological activity, Pharmacogn Rev., 6(12), 141–46 (2012)
  3. Kareparamban J.A., Nikam P.H., Jadhav A.P. and Kadam V.J., Ferula foetida “Hing”: A Review, Res. J. Pharm. Biol. Chem. Sci., 3(2),775-86 (2012)
  4. Alqasoumi S., Anxiolytic effect of Ferula assafoetida L. in rodents, J. Pharmacognosy. Phytother, 4(6), 86-90 (2012)
  5. Baitar I., Jami al Mufradat al Advia wal Aghzia. Vol II. New Delhi: Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, 46-7 (2000)
  6. Said HM, the ed. Hamdard Pharmacopeia of Eastern Medicine. New Delhi: Sriisatguru Publications, 385 (1997)
  7. Anonymous, The Unani Pharmacopeia of India. Part-1. Vol-1. New Delhi: Dept. of AYUSH, 36-37 (2007)
  8. Kabeeruddin M., Makhzanul Mufradat. New Delhi: Idarae Kitabus Shifa, 261 (2007)
  9. Attar Z., Ikhterate Badeeyi. New Delhi: Munshi Naval Kishore, 135 (1998)
  10. Khare CP, Indian Medicinal Plants: An Illustrated Dictionary. New Delhi: Springer India (P) Ltd, 263 (2007)
  11. Anonymous. The Wealth of India. Vol IV. 1st ed. New Delhi: CSIR, 20-21 (2002)
  12. Anonymous. Standardisation of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine. Part III. New Delhi: Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, 104-8 (1997) 16-22 (2015)
  13. Bagheri S.M., Dashti-R M.H. and Morshedi A., Antinociceptive effect of Ferula assafoetida oleo-gum- resin in mice, Research in Pharmaceutical Sciences., 9(3), 207-12 (2014)
  14. Dehpour A.A., Ebrahimzadeh M.A., Nabavi S.F. and Nabavi S.M., Antioxidant activity of methanol extract of Ferula assa-foetida and its essential oil composition, Grasasy Aceites., 60, 405-12 (2009)
  15. Iranshahi M., Askari M., Sahebkar A., pavlou H. and Litina D., Evaluation of antioxidant, antiinflammatory and lipoxygenase inhibitory activities of the prenylated coumarin umbelliprenin, DARU., 17, 99–103 (2009)
  16. Iranshahi M., Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida oleo-gum-resin)- a review, J. Ethnopharmacol., 134, 1-10 (2011)
  17. Moghadam F.H., Zarch B.V. and Shafiei M., Double-edged effect of gum-resin of Ferula asafoetida on lifespan of neurons, Iran. J. Basic Med. Sci., 16, 668-71 (2013)
  18. Homayouni Moghadam F., Dehghan M., Zarepur E., Dehlavi R., Ghaseminia F. and Ehsani S., et al. Oleo gum resin of Ferula assa-foetida L. ameliorates peripheral neuropathy in mice, J. Ethnopharmacol., 154(1), 183-9 (2014)
  19. Fatehi M., Farifteh F. and Fatehi-Hassanabad Z., Antispasmodic and hypotensive effects of Ferula asafoetida gum extract, J. Ethnopharmacol., 91, 321-24 (2004)
  20. Gundamaraju R. Evaluation of anthelmintic activity of Ferula foetida “Hing- A natural Indian spice” aqueous extract, Asian Pac. J. Trop. Dis., 3(3),189-91 (2013)
  21. Alqasoumi S., Al-Dosari M., Al-Howiriny T., Al-Yahya M., Al-Mofleh I. and Rafatullah S. Gastric antiulcer activity of a pungent spice Ferula assafoetida L. in rats, Farmacia., 59(6), 750-759 (2011)
  22. Dandagi P.M., Patil M.B., Mastiholimath V.S., Gadad A.P. and Dhumansure R.H. Development and Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Polyherbal Formulation Containing Some Indigenous Medicinal Plants, Indian J. Pharm. Sci. 70(2), 265-268 (2008)
  23. Gholamnezhad Z., Byrami G., Boskabady M.H. and Iranshahi M., Possible mechanism(s) of the relaxant effect of asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida) oleo-gum-resin extract on guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle, Avicenna J. Phytomed., 2(1), 10-16 (2011)
  24. Kassis E., Fulder S., Khalil K., Hadieh B., Nahhas F., Saad B. and Said O. Efficacy and safety assessments of Ferula assa-foetida L. traditionally used in Greco-Arab herbal medicine for enhancing male fertility, libido and erectile function, The Open Complementary Medicine Journal., 1, 102-9 (2009)
  25. Javaid R., Aslam M., Javaid R., Nizami Q., Javed K. and Azhar M.U. Extract of Ferula foetida regel reverses gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in rats, EXCLI Journal., 11,760-66 (2012)
  26. Azizian H., Rezvani M. E., Esmaeilidehaj M. and Bagheri S.M. Anti-Obesity, Fat Lowering and Liver Steatosis Protective Effects of Ferula asafoetida Gum in Type 2 Diabetic Rats: Possible Involvement of Leptin, Iranian Journal of Diabetes and Obesity., 4(3), 120-6 (2012)
  27. Akhlaghi F., Rajaei Z., Hadjzadeh M., Iranshahi M. and Alizadeh M., Antihyperglycemic Effect of Asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida Oleo-Gum-Resin) in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats, World Appl. Sci. J., 17(2),157-162 (2012)
  28. Abu-Zaiton A.S. Anti-diabetic activity of Ferula assafoetida extract in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats, Pak. J. Biol. Sci., 13, 97-100 (2010)
  29. Helal E.G.E., Mostafa A.M., Mahmood A.F. and Kahwash A.A., Hypoglycemic and hyperinsulinemic effects of Ferula asafoetida on diabetic male albino rats. Eygpt J Hospt. Med. 21, 95-108 (2005)
  30. Al-Awadi F. and Shoukry M., The lipid lowering effect of an anti-diabetic plant extract, Acta Diabetol., 25,1–5 (1988)
  31. Ghannadia A., FattahianaK., Shokoohinia Y., Behbahanic M. and Shahnoush A., Anti-Viral Evaluation of Sesquiterpene Coumarins from Ferula assa-foetida against HSV-1, Iranian J. Pharm. Res., 12(2), 523-530 (2014)
  32. Sadoughi S.D., Effect of aqueous extract of Ferula asafoetida’s resin on wound healing of Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats, Quarterly of the Horizon of Medical Sciences., 19(3),129-35 (2013)
  33. Mishra N. and Behal K.K., Chemopreventive activity of some spices against selected cell line, Pelagia Research Library Der Pharmacia Sinica., 2(1), 31-35 (2011)
  34. Nigam U. and Sachan S., Evaluation of Ferula asafoetida for its anticancerous activity in different countries, J. Pharmacognosy Phytochem., 2(4),74-76 (2013)