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Objective: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the main causes of kidney failure in the end stage of diabetes worldwide. On the other hand, asafoetida is a gum whose hypoglycemic effects have been proven. The present study was conducted with the aim of using asafoetida to prevent diabetic nephropathy., Methods: Diabetes was induced by a high-fat diet (60%) and streptozotocin injection (35 mg/kg) in rats. Diabetic rats were treated with an oral dose of 50 mg/kg of asafoetida for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, serum and urine parameters were examined. Antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation levels in the kidney were also determined along with its histological examination. The expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and Transforming growth factor beta genes were also evaluated., Results: Glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and HbA1c concentrations were significantly reduced in the asafoetida 50. On the other hand, in the treatment group, serum creatinine, urea, and albumin levels decreased and increased in urine. Antioxidant enzymes in the kidney improved significantly, and the expression of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and transforming growth factor-beta genes decreased. Histopathological examination also showed that necrosis, epithelial damage, and leukocyte infiltration increased in the diabetic and decreased in the treatment group., Conclusion: The result of biochemical analysis, enzymatic, and histological examinations showed that asafoetida may delay the progression of diabetic nephropathy due to the presence of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Due to the biological features of sesquiterpene coumarins and incomparable interest in therapeutics application of natural products, extraction of sesquiterpene coumarins from asafoetida have gained highly attention. One of the most important problems is removal of sulfur containing compounds which are co-existed with sesquiterpene coumarins. So employment of new methods for selective extraction and cleanup of sesquiterpene coumarins is very substantial. In this study using dummy molecularly imprinting technique, 7-hydroxycoumarin-imprited polymer was synthesized and after evaluation of binding properties of polymers, the optimum one was used as sorbent in solid phase extraction. Afterwards dummy molecularly imprinting solid phase extraction (DMISPE) method was calibrated for simultaneous extraction of galbanic acid, 7-isopentenyloxy coumarin and auraptene from aqueous media before high performance liquid chromatography with UV detector (HPLC-UV) analysis. The recovery was in the range of 68.32%-84.69%, which were in the acceptable range compared to previous works. Finally, the calibrated DMISPE method was used for extraction and cleanup of sesquiterpene coumarins from asafetida plant. The concentration of isosamarcandin, kellerin and farnesiferol in asafoetida extract was obtained 0.8, 2.7, and 5 µg/mL, respectively, using standard addition method., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Asafoetida, an oleo-gum-resin obtained from the exudates of Ferula assa-foetida L. roots, is traditionally used to treat various diseases including asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, and intestinal parasites. On the basis of Iranian traditional medicine, the main source of asafetida is F. assa-foetida roots. In folk medicine, however, different Ferula species have been used as sources of asafoetida. To identify the original asafoetida that possesses medicinal properties, we should compare metabolic profiles of different asafoetida sources which are commonly used for the oleo-gum-resin preparation. 1 H-NMR based metabolomics was used to obtain metabolic profiles of eight asafoetida oleo-gum-resin samples and forty-six samples of Ferula species roots from two main regions of Iran. The acquired data were analyzed using multivariate principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and orthogonal projection to latent structures discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to identify the metabolic differences and similarities between the samples. Asafoetida is usually produced from Ferula species of southern and eastern regions of Iran. A clear metabolic differentiation was evident between asafoetida oleo-gum- resin samples from the southern and those of the eastern Iran. The distinguished metabolites, umbelliprenin, farnesiferol B, farnesiferol C, samarcandin and galbanic acid are significantly found in southern samples. Only southern asafoetida is obtained from F. assa-foetida. Asafoetida from eastern region of Iran is obtained from other species of Ferula such as F. alliacea and its metabolic profile is far different from that of southern asafoetida., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The gum asafoetida, an oleo-gum-resin from root of Ferula assa foetida, was extracted through alcoholic procedure followed by water extraction and then biochemically characterized using colorimetric assays, Fourier infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry, and 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance. The gum was mainly composed of carbohydrates (67.39% w/w) with a monosaccharide distribution of 11.5: 5.9: 2.3: 1 between Gal, Ara, Rha and GlcA (molar ratio) and proteins (arabinogalactan protein). The polysaccharide consisted of a (1→3)-β-d-galactan backbone ramified predominantly from O-6 but also from O-4 and O-4,6. Side chains included terminal-α-l-Araf, terminal-α-l-Rhap, (1→3)-α-l-Araf, (1→5)-α-l-Araf, terminal-β-d-Galp, β-d-GlcA and traces of (1→4)-β-d-GlcA. X-ray diffraction pattern showed a semi crystalline microstructure. Thermal behavior of the gum was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed temperatures below and upper 200°C as dominant regions of weight loss., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Asafoetida is an oleo-gum resin mainly obtained from Ferula assa-foetida L. species in the apiaceae family. Previous studies have shown that it has antispasmodic effects on rat's and pig's ileums., Purpose: The main goals of this study were to assess the vasodilatory effect of asafoetida essential oil (AEO) on the contractile response of rat's aorta rings and to find the role of nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase, and calcium channels. Thoracic aorta rings were stretched under a steady-state tension of 1 g in an organ bath apparatus for 1 h and then precontracted by KCl (80 mM) in the presence and absence of AEO. L-NAME (blocker of nitric oxide synthase) and indomethacin (blocker of cyclooxygenase) were used to assess the role of nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclin in the vasodilatory effect of AEO. Also, the effect of AEO on the influx of calcium through the cell membrane calcium channels was determined., Results: Data showed that AEO had vasodilatory effects on aorta rings with both intact (IC 50  = 1.6 µl/l) or denuded endothelium (IC 50  = 19.2 µl/l) with a significantly higher potency in intact endothelium rings. The vasodilatory effects of AEO were reduced, but not completely inhibited, in the presence of L-NAME or indomethacin. Adding AEO to the free-calcium medium also significantly reduced the CaCl 2 -induced contractions., Conclusion: The results indicated that AEO has a potent vasodilatory effect that is endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent. Also, it reduced the influx of calcium into the cell through plasma membrane calcium channels., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

The objective of the present study was to identify the proteome pattern, isolate and study the functions of selective proteins from Ferula asafoetida root exudate using chromatographic techniques. The root exudate proteins were fractionated using ion-exchange and gel filtration chromatography. A range of bioactive protein fractions were then separated in sufficient quantity which is the focus of this study. Based on studies, here we report three main proteins with molecular weights 14kDa, 27kDa, and 39kDa. The biological and pharmacological activities of both purified and unpurified proteins obtained were extensively studied to understand their significance. The study revelaed that 27kDa protein interestingly stabilized trypsin activity in 24h of time and retained about 64% of the enzyme activity. Analyses confirmed 40°C and pH 8.0 are the optimum temperature and pH respectively. The 39kDa protein remarkably increased the activity of chymotrypsin and the 14kDa protein showed anti-bacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Invariably all of the three purified proteins showed enhanced anti-oxidant activity. In conclusion, results here obtained suggested that the primary metabolites (proteins) in asafoetida are mainly responsible for its versatile biological and pharmacological activities., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In Iranian traditional medicine, asafoetida is introduced as a valuable remedy for nervous disorders. Dementia was induced by injection of d-galactose and NaNO2 for 60 consecutive days. Animals were divided into normal control (NC), dementia control (DC), dementia prophylactic (DP), and dementia treated (DT). The learning and memory functions were examined by 1-way active and passive avoidance tests, using a shuttle box device. Avoidance response in training tests and 1 and 3 weeks later was significantly increased in NC, DP, and DT groups compared to the DC group. Step through latency in all groups was significantly greater than the DC group. Total time spent in light room, which shows the memory retention ability, in DP, NC, and DT was significantly greater than the DC group. Our findings indicate that asafoetida could prevent and treat amnesia. These beneficial effects maybe related to some constituent's effectiveness such as ferulic acid and umbelliferone., (© The Author(s) 2015.)

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: According to the Chinese, European, Iranian and Indian traditional medicines, oleo gum resin of Ferula assa-foetida (asafoetida) has therapeutic effects on different kinds of diseases. Some of these effects are related to the diseases of nervous system such as hysteresis and convulsion. In recent studies, some anti-epileptic and neuroprotective roles were also considered for it and we examined its possible role on treatment of peripheral neuropathy., Material and Methods: in vitro studies were carried out to identify the response of isolated sciatic nerves to different concentrations of oleo gum resin of asafoetida solved in Lock׳s solution. Then, in vivo studies were conducted to evaluate its effect on amelioration of peripheral neuropathy in mice. Peripheral neuropathy was induced by intraperiotoneal injection of high doses of pyridoxine in adult Balb/c male mice. Tail flick tests were performed to identify the incidence of neuropathy in animals. After 10 days treatment with asafoetida, the efficiency of treatment was assessed by behavioral, electrophysiological and histological studies., Results: in vitro experiments confirmed that incubating the nerves in aqueous extract of oleo gum rein of asafoetida increased the amplitude and decreased the latent period of nerve compound action potential (CAP). Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and amplitude of CAP also improved in asafoetida treated animals. Histological and behavioral studies showed that asafoetida was able to facilitate the healing process in peripheral nerves., Conclusions: in vitro experiments showed that asafoetida is a nerve stimulant and its administration in neuropathic mice exerted neuroprotecting effects through stimulating axonal regeneration and remyelination and decrement of lymphocyte infiltration., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ferula assa-foetida L. is a major source of asafoetida, a foul-smelling gum-resin of dietary and medicinal relevance. Investigation of the roots and latex of F. assa-foetida yielded various mixed vinyl disulfides, including two novel asadisulfide-type esters. The reactivity of asadisulfide was investigated in the cysteamine NMR assay, where it behaved as disulfide shuffling agents due to the high mobility of the vinyl sulfide moiety. In accordance with their transthiolation capacity, these compounds potently activated TRPA1, the target of mustard oil and the pungent sulfur compounds from onion and garlic, qualifying S-alkyl-S-alkenyldisulfides, a rare class of natural products, as a novel class of dietary TRPA1 activators. These observations provide a mechanistic basis for rationalizing some of the sensory properties and potential beneficial health claims associated to the use of asafoetida as a spice and as a medicine., (© 2013.)

Asafoetida is an oleo–gum‐resin mainly obtained from Ferula foetida in eastern Iran, which is employed for the treatment of stomachaches, acid reflux, nervous system disorders and respiratory diseases. Asafoetida has attracted the attention of researchers due to its sulfide compounds and their proven effects on respiratory illnesses. In this study, the shelf stability of supplement of F. foetida's oleo–gum‐resin by quantifying two key sulfide compounds including E/Z‐sec‐butyl propenyl disulfane and E/Z‐(methylthio)propyl 1‐propenyl disulfane was evaluated by 1H NMR (qH NMR) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The similar results were obtained in both qH NMR and GC–MS methods. The qH NMR method showed good linearity in the ranges of 2–12 mg/mL for E/Z‐sec‐butyl propenyl disulfane and 2.2–17 mg/mL for E/Z‐(methylthio) propyl 1‐propenyl disulfane with a correlation coefficient of 0.99 and acceptable stability (RSD% ≤ 2.72%) for the quantification of the compounds. Therefore, despite the volatility of disulfide compounds and according to the results, the qH NMR method could be considered adequate method for quantifying these compounds in supplements containing the volatile components that requires extra extraction steps before analyses by other method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preservation of post-harvest storage products, such as grains and rice, is often plagued by insect pests, with the rice weevil (Sitophilus oryzae L.) standing out as important. This study evaluates the efficacy of spice extracts of Syzygium aromaticum, Trigonella foenum-graecum and Ferula assa-foetida against S. oryzae at varying concentrations. Extracts exhibited toxicity that inhibited egg development and larval progression, with deformations observed at lower concentrations leading to larval death at higher concentrations. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of insect α-amylase activity revealed significant decreased activity with prolonged exposure. The study demonstrated increasing mortality rates with the combined spice extracts displaying the highest efficacy followed by S. aromaticum, T. foenum-graecum, and F. assa-foetida extracts, indicating promising insecticidal activity against S. oryzae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Asafoetida is a gum derived from Ferula assa-foetida, which is used in traditional Iranian medicine to treat some reproductive system disorders. The effects of asafoetida on ovarian tissue, expression of certain genes associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and levels of liver, kidney, and blood cell factors after treatment in a rat model were investigated. Methods: Thirty rats were divided into five groups: normal, polycystic, and treatment with three doses of asafoetida (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg for 3 weeks after PCOS induction). PCOS was induced by letrozole at a dose of 1 mg/kg administered orally for 3 weeks. Blood samples were taken, and the ovaries were removed and prepared for histomorphometric examination. Liver and kidney parameters were measured. The mRNA expression levels of luteinizing hormone receptor, CYP11A1, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, adiponectin, and adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 were also measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The levels of liver, kidney, and blood parameters did not significantly differ between the treatment groups and the control group. At doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg, ovarian histopathology, especially the thicknesses of the theca and granulosa layers, was significantly improved relative to the PCOS group. The expression of target genes also improved in the 25 and 50 mg/kg treatment groups. Conclusion: Asafoetida can be used to treat PCOS as a complementary approach to conventional therapies. Asafoetida appears to act by regulating and activating metabolic and ovarian cycle enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asafoetida (Ferula asafoetida) also known as heeng, Devil's drug, ferula, food of Gods, incense of Devil, stinking gum is an important spice crop belonging to family Apiaceae. It is native to Iran and Afghanistan. Its dried latex (gum oleoresin) is generally used for flavouring curries, sauces, and pickles. Therapeutically, it stimulates the intestinal and respiratory tracts as well as the nervous system. It is beneficial in asthma, whooping cough, and chronic bronchitis. Its essential oil is also used in medicines, food and cosmetic industries. Besides, it is also used as an alternative for pesticides in organic farming. The major constituents of asafoetida are the resin (40- 64%), gum (25%) and essential oil (10-17%). The butyl propenyl disulphide is responsible for the aroma of asafoetida. The asaresinotannol is the major constituent present in the resin. It can be grown on unproductive cold deserts of dry temperate areas of Himalayas. It is mainly propagated by seeds. The seeds are sown either in winters or spring. It becomes ready for harvesting after 5 years of planting and yields around 900g per plant. The oleo gum resin and essential oil derived from this plant are sold at premium prices in the international market. The small and marginal farmers of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba can benefit from this new emerging crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ferula asafoetida is introduced as a valuable remedy for hysteria and some other nervous disorders in Iranian traditional medicine. Asafoetida is an oleo-gum-resin obtained from the exudates of the roots of the Ferula asafoetida. Previous studies have shown that this oleo gum resin has antioxidant, anti-apoptosis, and differentiation properties in the nervous system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of asafoetida on the death of oligodendrocytes and demyelination in male C57BL/6 mice in cuprizone (CPZ)-induced animal model of multiple sclerosis. Methods: Demyelination was induced by oral administration of rats with the 0.2% CPZ that was added to the usual diet for 8 weeks. Animals intraperitoneally received daily asafoetida at doses of 25 or 50 mg/kg of bodyweight simultaneously. At the end of the weeks, animal brains were removed and fixed to histological studies using Luxol fast blue staining. Asafoetida was screened for its antioxidant activity using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging assay and for its inhibitory activity against lipid peroxidation catalyzed by soybean lipoxygenase. Results: The results of this study showed that asafoetida significantly decreased infiltration rate in both groups of asafoetida 25 and 50 mg/kg, respectively (P < 0.01). Histological evaluations showed the lower demyelination in LFB in the group treated with asafoetida. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that asafoetida plays a neuro protective role in CPZ models of multiple sclerosis by reducing neuronal demyelination and oligodendrocytes death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile oils of two varieties of asafoetida ( Ferula asafoetida) , namely Pathani and Irani, isolated by hydrodistillation were studied for their antimicrobial properties against various foodborne bacterial and fungal organisms. Pathani was more effective against bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis with 18 mm and 28 mm zone of inhibition, respectively. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) for both E. coli and B. subtilis was about 5 ppm. Volatile oil of Irani showed 75 and 70% inhibition of growth of Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus ochraceus respectively whereas volatile oil of Pathani exhibited 49 and 45% inhibition. The major compounds identified in Pathani volatile oil are (E)-1- propenyl sec- butyl disulphide (56%), 1-(1- propenylthio) propyl methyl disulfide (16.9%) and 1,2- dithiolane (5.7%) using GC–MS analysis. Irani volatile oil showed the presence of (Z)-1- propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (14.4%), (E)-1- propenyl sec-butyl disulfide (28.8%) and 1-(1- propenythio) propyl methyl disulfide (10.1%) as the major compounds. The presence of various volatile compounds among the varieties of asafoetida is demonstrated well in this study. Thus, it can be concluded that Pathani oil was found to be a good antibacterial agent while Irani oil a fungicidal agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferula assa-foetida L. is distributed throughout central Asia and Mediterranean area and grows wildly in Iran and Afghanistan. Asafoetida is an oleo-gum-resin that is the exudates of the roots of Ferula assa-foetida and some other Ferula species. In Iranian traditional medicine, asafoetida is considered to be sedative, analgesic, carminative, antispasmodic, diuretic, antihelmintic, emmenagogue and expectorant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antinociceptive effect of asafoetida in mice. The analgesic activity of asafoetida (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) was compared with that of sodium diclofenac (30 mg/kg) or morphine sulfate (8 mg/kg) by using hot plate and acetic acid induced writhing tests. In hot plate test, the percentage of maximum possible effect (%MPE) against the thermal stimulus at 15 min post treatment time point for all doses of asafoetida was significantly greater than the control group. The number of writhes in all three doses of asafoetida was significantly less than the control group. GraphPad Prism 5 software was used to analyze the behavioral responses. Data were analyzed using repeated measure one-way ANOVA and P<0.05 was considered as the significant level. According to our findings, asafoetida exhibited a significant antinociceptive effect on chronic and acute pain in mice. These effects probably involve central opioid pathways and peripheral anti-inflammatory action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Based on knowledge from traditional herbal medicine, Ferula assa-foetida (asafoetida) has several therapeutic applications but there is less knowledge about its effect on neurons. Materials and Methods: In order to evaluate neuronal differentiation, neuronal like cells were stained against neuronal specific markers β-Tubulin III and MAP2. After establishment of neuronal differentiation in cultured cells, aqueous extract of gum-resin of asafoetida were applied on culture medium of neurons with different concentrations then survival rate of neurons were evaluated by cell counting and methyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) tests. Results: The results showed that asafoetida gum resin particularly with 0.01 and 1 μg/ml concentrations could improve survival rate of neurons, while10 μgr/ml treated group was toxic. Conclusion: Results of this study indicated that gum resin of asafoetida in low doses has neuroprotective effect on neurons and improves survival rate of them, however in higher concentrations it is toxic for neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Asafoetida is an old traditional phytomedicine obtained from various Ferula species sources. • Asafoetida samples and Ferula species assayed by headspace gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. • Heatmap analysis showed at least two types of asafoetida samples studied in Iran. • Volatile sulfur compounds could be considered to determine asafoetida types and sources. Volatile sulfur compounds of asafoetida, an oleo-gum-resin, obtained from different Ferula species may be considered as possible metabolites to determine the probable source. Asafoetida is widely used in Iranian and Indian traditional medicine and in food industry. Sesquiterpene coumarin, phenolic, and volatile compounds (especially sulfur compounds) can be used as evidence to find out the main asafoetida and their source(s). In this study, the volatile profiles of five Ferula species and six samples of asafoetida from eastern and southern Iran were investigated via the headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Heat map analysis was performed for comparing the sulfur pattern in samples. The results showed at least two types of asafoetida in these regions were produced from special Ferula species. Accordingly, Ferula lutensis Rech., was determined as the main source of asafoetida from eastern Iran due to the presence of Z-1-butynyl-1-methyl propyl disulfide and E-1-butynyl-1-methyl propyl disulfide. The results of this research support the idea that types and levels of sulfur compounds could be considered as lead compounds for determination of the main source(s) of asafoetida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Asafoetida has been used asaphrodisiac agent in different countries. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of asafoetida on spermatic and testicular parameters in treatment rats. Materials and Methods: 30 male Wistar rats received 25, 50,100 and 200 mg/kg asafoetida respectively. After six weeks, a small part of the cauda epididymis of each rat was dissected and the spermatic parameters were evaluated for at least 200 spermatozoa of each animal. Testes of all rats were harvested for pathologic examination. The testosterone concentration of serum was also determined. Results: This study indicated that asafoetida significantly increased the number and viability of sperms (p<0.05). Histological study showed that spermatogenesis process and number of Leydig cells was increased with increasing the dose, but the Leydig cells become vacuolated. Johnsen score in experimental groups was increased compare to control although this difference was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, asafoetida showed a positive effect on spermatic parameters although the histopathological effects on the testes were observed, particularly at high doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]