Biological activities and medicinal properties of Asafoetida: A review (2024)

Table1

Various names of asafoetida in different countries.

Table2

Phytochemical constituents of Ferula asafoetida.

Table3

Pharmacological studies on Ferula asafoetida.

4.1. Relaxant effect

The relaxant effects of various preparations of F.asafoetida and its constituents on different types of smooth muscles were demonstrated. The relaxant effect of the asafoetida on tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pigs and its probable mechanisms were investigated by three cumulative concentrations of the aqueous extract (2, 5 and 10mg/mL), theophylline (0.25, 0.50 and 0.75mM) and saline were examined on non-incubated tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig precontracted by 10μM methacholine in group 1, pre-incubated tissues by propranolol and chlorpheniramine, contracted by methacholine in group 2 and pre-incubated tissues by propranolol contracted by methacholine in group 3. All concentrations of theophylline in group 1 and all concentrations of the extract in the further three groups showed considerable relaxant effects compared to that of saline. Significant positive correlations have shown between the relaxant effects of the extract with their concentrations in all three groups. It is clearly indicated that a potent relaxant effect of the asafoetida extract on tracheal smooth muscle, which is perhaps due to muscarinic receptor blockade.⁴⁹ Bayrami etal⁵⁰ investigated the relaxant effects of oleo-gum-resin of asafoetida and its coumarin constituent umbelliprenin on tracheal chains of guinea pigs. The relaxant effects of three cumulative concentrations of the aqueous extract umbelliprenin, theophylline and saline were examined by their relaxant effects on pre-concentrated tracheal chains of guinea pig by 60mM/L KCl in group 1 and 10μM/L methacholine in group 2. In group 1 all concentrations of theophylline and the highest concentration of the extract showed significant relaxant effects compared with that of saline. In group 2, relaxant effects of all concentrations of theophylline, extract and two higher concentrations of umbelliprenin differed significantly compared with saline. The relaxant effect of the aqueous extract in group 2 was considerably greater than that of group 1. The relaxant effect of the extract was significantly more potent than umbelliprenin in both groups. It is indicated that a potent relaxant effect of the asafoetida extract on tracheal smooth muscle, which is due to its constituent umbelliprenin. The relaxant effect of asafoetida and essential oil from asafoetida seed was investigated by Bagheri etal²⁷ in isolated ileum of rat after three doses. Asafoetida produced an antispasmodic effect on acetylcholine (Ach) induced contraction in 0.2% and 0.3%. Spasmolytic evaluation showed that the essential oil derived from F.asafoetida seed in concentrations of 0.2 and 0.3%, significantly reduced Ach from 10 to 4M induced concentrations. Exposure to the 0.2 and 0.3% asafoetida, reduced statistically significant, the percentage of maximum contraction induced by 10–4M Ach to 43% and 12% respectively. Asafoetida can be used as an antispasmodic therapeutic agent. Khazdair etal²⁸ investigated the effect of asafoetida on muscarinic receptors of tracheal smooth muscle for relaxant effect. The effects of three cumulative concentrations of aqueous extract of F. asafoetida (2.2, 5 and 10mg/mL), 10nM atropine and saline on muscarinic receptors were tested in tracheal smooth muscle samples. The maximum responses to methacholine in the presence of higher concentration of the extract (10mg/mL) were significantly lower than that of saline. Because of F. asafoetida or its constituents may bind to muscarinic receptor of tracheal smooth muscle and put off the binding of methacholine to this receptor, it suggested the competitive antagonistic effect of F. asafoetida at muscarinic receptors.

4.2. Neuroprotective effect

Traditional usages and some recent findings suggested that F. asafoetida can exert some effects on the function of the nervous system particularly in neuroprotective and nerve stimulating effects. F. asafoetida extract treatment on glutamate-induced cell damaged in primary culture of rat cerebellar granule neurons was investigated by Tayeboon etal.²⁹ Cerebellums and cerebellar granule neurons were collected from seven days rat brains and eight days culture respectively. Cerebellar granule neuron cells were treated with F. asafoetida extract at 100μg/mL concentration before, after and during exposure to 30μM glutamate. Neuroprotective effects of extracts of F. asafoetida against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity confirmed by increased glutamate-induced reduction in cellular viability and attenuated glutamate-induced apoptotic/necrotic cell death. The extract exerted antiapoptotic activity in cerebellar granule neurons due to cell cycle arrest in G0G1 phase, which explain the beneficial effects of F. asafoetida extract as therapies for neurologic disorders.²⁹Invitro studies were carried out by Moghadam etal⁵¹ to identify the response of isolated sciatic nerves to various concentrations of oleo gum resin of asafoetida solved in Lock's solution. Invivo studies were also conducted to evaluate its effect on amelioration of peripheral neuropathy in mice. Invitro experiments authenticated that incubating the nerves in aqueous extract of the oleo-gum-resin of asafoetida increased the amplitude and decreased the latent period of nerve compound action potential. Nerve conduction velocity and amplitude of compound action potential improved in asafoetida treated animals. The ability of asafoetida to facilitate the healing process in peripheral nerves is also confirmed by the histological and behavioral studies. Invitro experiments showed that asafoetida is a nerve stimulant and its management in neuropathic mice exerted neuroprotecting effects through stimulating axonal regeneration and remyelination and decrement of lymphocyte infiltration.⁵¹

4.3. Memory enhancing activity

Loss of memory is the first symptom to manifest in majority of the people suffering from Alzheimer's disease around the world. Vijayalakshmi etal⁵² investigated the effect of the F. asafoetida extract on learning and memory in rats. Learning and memorization were evaluated using elevated plus maze and passive avoidance paradigm after the oral administration of two doses (200 and 400mg/kg) of F. asafoetida aqueous extract with rivastigmine as positive control. The extract produced significant improvement in memory score and dose-dependent improvement of transfer latency in elevated plus maze model. Dose-dependent inhibition of brain cholinesterase and significant improvement in antioxidant levels were also noted. Memory enhancing potential of F. asafoetida can be attributed to acetylcholinesterase inhibiting and antioxidant properties. Dietary usage of F. asafoetida is beneficial and can also be employed as an adjuvant to existing anti-dementia therapies. The effect of asafoetida on preventive treatment of Dementia induced by d-galactose and NaNO₂ in mice was investigated by Bagheri etal.⁵³ Animals were divided into four different groups such as normal control (NC), dementia control (DC), dementia prophylactic (DP) and dementia treated (DT). The groups DP, NC and DT were significantly shown greater memory retention ability than the DC group. Because of asafoetida could prevent and treat amnesia may be due to the presence of biologically active compounds such as sulfur containing and sesquiterpene coumarins. The anti-epileptic and anti-oxidant properties of the F.asafoetida gum extract, using the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) kindling method. Considerable reduction of MDA and NO levels and increased the SOD level in the plant extract treatment groups compared to the PTZ group implies that probably F. asafoetida gum extract causes a decrease in oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation due to its antioxidant properties. The lowering effects of hydro-alcoholic F.asafoetida gum extracts on the PTZ-induced seizures are probably due to its antioxidant properties and decrease of oxidative stress.

4.4. Digestive enzyme activity

In general spices have been considered to strengthen salivary flow and gastric juice secretion and support in digestion. The digestive stimulating action of the spices is most likely through a stimulation of activities of enzymatic participate in digestion. A few common spices or their active principles were examined for their possible influence on digestive enzymes of the pancreas in experimental rat. Groups of animals were maintained for 8 weeks on the following spice diets are curcumin (0.5mg), capsaicin (15mg), piperine (20mg), ginger (50mg), cumin (1.25mg) fenugreek (2mg), mustard (250mg) and asafoetida (250mg). Among these spices, asafoetida prominently enhanced pancreatic lipase activity and also stimulated pancreatic amylase. The positive influence of the pancreatic digestive enzymes exerted by a good number of spices consumed in diet could be a factor contributing to the well recognized digestive stimulant action of spices.⁵⁴ Ramakrishna Rao etal⁵⁵ also examined the invitro influence of fourteen spices with asafoetida on the activities of digestive enzymes of rat pancreas and small intestine by including them in the reaction blend at two dissimilar concentrations. A majority of spices enhanced the activity of pancreatic lipase and amylase when they are directly in contact with the enzyme. It is inferred that this positive influence on the activity of enzymes may have a supplementary role in the overall digestive stimulant action of spices, besides causing an enhancement of the titers of digestive enzymes in pancreatic tissue.

4.5. Antispasmodic and hypotensive activity

In 2004, Fatehi etal²⁶ demonstrated that F. asafoetida gum extract was effective in reducing blood pressure in anaesthetized normotensive rats. The effects of F. asafoetida gum extract on the contractile responses of the isolated guinea-pig ileum stimulated by histamine, acetylcholine, and KCl, and on the mean arterial blood pressure of rat were investigated. The average amplitude of spontaneous contractions of the isolated guinea-pig ileum was decreased when compared with control. Exposure of the precontracted ileum by acetylcholine to F. asafoetida gum extract caused relaxation in a dose-dependent manner. F. asafoetida gum extracts significantly reduced the mean arterial blood pressure in anaesthetized rats. It strength be concluded that the relaxant compounds in F. asafoetida gum extract interfere with a variety of histaminic receptor and muscarinic adrenergic activities or with the mobilization of calcium ions required for smooth muscle contraction non-specifically.

4.6. Hepatoprotective effect

In 2008, Dandagi etal⁵⁶ explored the hepatoprotective activity of a variety of extracts of Momordica charantia Linn., Nardostachys jatamansi and F. asafoetida against experimental hepatotoxicity. These extracts were formulated as polyherbal suspensions and they were showing significant activity and evaluated for both hepatoprotective and physicochemical activity in evaluation with LIV-52 as standard. Three different formulations were prepared, among these Formulation 3 (containing chloroform, petroleum ether and aqueous extracts of F. asafoetida, petroleum ether and ethanol extracts of M. charantia Linn. and N. jatamansi) has shown a significant hepatoprotective effect by decreasing the elevated serum enzyme levels such as glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase. Experimental data also suggested that treatment with Formulation 3 enhances the recovery from hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetra chloride.

4.7. Antimicrobial activity

Antimicrobial activity of spices depends upon the several factors such as class of species, composition and concentration of spices and its level of occurrence, composition of substrate, processing conditions and storage. Asafoetida is a spice and herbal medicine used to treat against various fungi and bacteria. Crude extracts of asafoetida were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against various fungal and bacterial strains. It was observed that alcoholic and aqueous extracts of asafoetida showed significant effect against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus niger by the agar disc diffusion method. The crude extract showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities by inhibiting the respective fungi and bacteria. Agar disc diffusion assay for antimicrobial activity yielded the inhibitory zone of 4–16mm diameter for asafoetida extracts. Asafoetida can be recommended for therapeutic and medicinal purposes.¹⁴ Essential oils obtained from F. asafoetida oleo-gum resins (OGRs) in different collections times named as OGR1, OGR2 and OGR3 had different chemical compositions, antioxidant, ROS, RNS, H₂O₂ and TBARS scavenging. The essential oil from OGR1 was constituted high levels of bicyclic sesquiterpenes [10-epi-γ-eudesmol] and acyclic sulfur-containing compounds [(E)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide and (Z)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide] showed the highest radical scavenging and the lowest antifungal and antibacterial activities. Essential oil from OGR2 was constituted high levels of acyclic sulfur-containing compounds [(Z)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide and (E)-1-propenyl sec-butyl disulfide] and bicyclic monoterpenes [β-pinene and α-pinene] and showed moderate radical scavenging, antifungal and antibacterial activities. Essential oil from OGR3 was constituted high levels of bicyclic monoterpenes [β-pinene and α-pinene] and heterocyclic disulfide [1,2-dithiolane] and showed the lowest radical scavenging and the highest antibacterial and antifungal activities. The essential oil obtained from the earlier stages of F. asafoetida growth could be used as safe and effective natural antioxidants in the food industries to get better oxidative stability of fatty foods during storage, while the essential oil obtained from the later stages of F. asafoetida growth could be used in the health industry as a safe and effective source of antibacterial agents.¹³ Volatile oils of two varieties of F. asafoetida, namely Pathani and Irani, isolated by hydro-distillation were studied for their antimicrobial properties against various food-borne bacterial and fungal organisms. Pathani was more effective against bacteria such as E. coli and B.subtilis. The volatile oil of Irani showed 70 and 75% inhibition of growth of Aspergillus ochraceus and Penicillium chrysogenum respectively, whereas volatile oil of Pathani exhibited 49 and 45% inhibition. Pathani oil was found to be a good antibacterial agent while Irani oil a fungicidal agent.¹⁵ Bhatnager etal¹⁸ used two kind of F. asafoetida such as red and white gum to screen their antimicrobial activity against five dissimilar bacterial strains. Hexane extracts of both red and white asafoetida has shown the highest antibacterial activity against Shigella flexneri and S. aureus was found to be least affected by other extracts. Extracts of both red and white forms showed comparable antibacterial activities, so it may have the same chemical composition. F. asafoetida has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity because it showed the potential inhibitory effect against the tested strains of bacteria. Bioactive substances from this plant can therefore be worked in the formulation of antibacterial agents for the treatment of various bacterial infections mainly related to the digestive system. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of asafoetida were studied by Patil etal¹⁷ Antibacterial activity was carried out against B. subtilis, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, S. aureus and the antifungal activity was evaluated against A. niger and Candida albicans. Ethyl acetate, ethanol and methanol extract has significant antimicrobial activity due to the occurrence of a mixture of phytoconstituents and it could be a source of new antibiotic compounds.

Essential oils derived from 20 different spices were investigated for their antifungal activity against A. niger, C. albicans, Candida cylindracea, Candida blanki, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae using the disc diffusion method. The sensitivity of fungi to various essential oils was compared with standard ketoconazole and an activity index was determined. Among the selected spices, asafoetida oil showed inhibitory activity toward all fungal strains, but activity was strong toward C. tropicalis, C. albicans MTCC-227, S. cerevisiae and A. niger while moderate toward C. blanki, C. glabrata, C. krusei, C. cylindracea, C. albicans MTCC-3017 and C. albicans NCIM-3100. Essential oils extracted from the seeds of neem, mustard, black cumin and asafoetida were evaluated by Sitara etal⁵⁷ for their antifungal activity in 0.5, 0.1 and 0.15% against eight seed borne fungi viz., Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium nivlae, Fusarium semitectum, Drechslera hawaiiensis and Alternaria alternate. Ridomyl gold (MZ 68% WP) was used for comparison. All the oils extracted except mustard, showed variation of degree of fungicidal activity against experimental species. Asafoetida oil significantly inhibited the growth of all test fungi except.⁵⁷ The antifungal and allelopathic effects of the methanol extract of asafoetida oleo-gum resin concentrations against Pleurotus spp. and Trichoderma harzianumand were investigated in dual culture experiments on an agar-based medium. It showed fungistatic and fungicidal properties against T. harzianumand and Pleurotus spp. at higher concentrations.²¹ Ninety formulations of neem oil, nicotinic acid and F. asafoetida at different concentrations with α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds were screened for invitro analysis against Sclerotium rolfsii ITCC 5226 and Macrophomina phaseolina ITCC 0482. The formulations having F. asafoetida at a dose level of 66mg/L as a natural product may be an effective novel alternative approach to control pathogenic fungi.²⁰ Mostafa etal²² investigated the antifungal effect of asafoetida seed essential oil on some of plant pathogens fungi including: Bipolaris sorokiniana, Fusarium graminearum, Verticillium sp, A. niger and Fusarium solani based on completely randomized design and an invitro method. Asafoetida seed essential oil compared with controls significantly inhibited the growth of all tested fungal species. B. sorokiniana growth completely inhibited by asafoetida seed essential oil, but inhibiting effect of other species was highly dose dependent. El Deeb etal⁵⁸ evaluated the activity of asafoetida against the invitro growth of Blastocystis sp. Both powder and oil form of asafoetida extracts were incubated with isolates of Blastocystis sp. subtype 3 and compared to the reference antiprotozoan drug metronidazole. Both powder and oil form of asafoetida decreased counts and viability of all tested isolates of Blastocystis sp. subtype 3. The degree of the inhibitory effect was highly dependent on the concentration, form and time of incubation with asafoetida extracts. The lowest concentration of both powder and oil form of asafoetida that caused complete inhibition of Blastocystis growth and highest percentage inhibition of development was 16 and 40mg/mL respectively. Asafoetida can potentially be used as a potent natural alternative Phytomedicine for treatment of Blastocystis sp. infection.⁵⁸

4.8. Anticarcinogenic activity

Tumor reducing activity of extract of asafoetida was studied by Unnikrishnan and Kuttan⁵⁹ in mice transplanted intraperitoneally with Ehrlich ascites tumor. Asafoetida extract inhibited two stage chemical carcinogenesis induced by croton oil and 7,12-dimethyl benzanthracene on mice skin with considerable reduction in papiloma formation. It indicates the potential use of asafoetida as anti-cancer agents as well as antitumor promoters. Saleem etal²³ investigated the potential of antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activity of asafoetida in Swiss albino mice. The pretreatment of animals with asafoetida recovered the antioxidant level and reversed significantly the induced ornithine decarboxylase activity and DNA synthesis. Asafoetida can be an effective Chemopreventive agent and capable of alleviating cutaneous carcinogenesis. Mallikarjuna etal²⁵ were studied to ascertain the modulatory influences of F. asafoetida on the mammary epithelial tissue differentiation, hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes, antioxidant outlines and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis in Sprague–Dawley rats. A significant decrease in tumor multiplicity after asafoetida treatment can be explained in light of the fact that the carcinogenic effect was suppressed to a considerable extent as evidenced by the strengthening of drug metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes, and also a striking reduction in the number of terminal end buds during mammary gland differentiation. The Chemopreventive potential of asafoetida was reflected in the reduced number of tumors per tumor bearing rat.

4.9. Anticancer activity

In 2015, Panwar etal⁶⁰ investigated the chemopreventive potential of different doses of F. asafoetida oleo-gum-resin on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced rat colon carcinogenesis by evaluating tumor size, tumor multiplicity and tumor incidence, serum total sialic acid levels as well as histoarchitecture of the colons of rats subjected to various treatment. The study revealed that asafoetida supplementation attenuates 1,2-dimethylhydrazine induced deleterious effects in of rats. The minimum dose of asafoetida (10mg/100g) exhibited more prominent effect as it continuously influenced all the tested biochemical parameters, which can be used as a promising chemopreventive agent against colon carcinogenesis.

4.10. Anti-quorum sensing activity

F. asafoetida was tested for its anti-quorum sensing activity against P. aeruginosa. Essential oil of F. asafoetida exhibited anti-quorum activity at 25μg/mL of concentration and fully abolished the violacein production by Chromobacterium violaceum. Pyocyanin, pyoyerdine, elastase and biofilm production were decreased in F. asafoetida oil treatments. Expression analysis of quorum sensing dependent genes confirmed asafoetida as novel anti-quorum sensing and virulence inhibitors.⁶¹

4.11. Antihyperglycemic effect

Akhlaghi etal⁶² evaluated the hypoglycemic activity of the asafoetida extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The asafoetida extract administration at dose of 50mg/kg for 4 weeks has shown the hypoglycemic activity in streptozotocin-diabetic rats during 2nd week and 4th week of treatment period. Blood glucose level in streptozotocin induced diabetic animal is reduced may be at least in part by the presence of the phenolic acid and tannins in the extract.

4.12. Farnesyltransferase inhibition, protein and metabolic activity

Farnesylation of the activated ras oncogene product by protein farnesyltransferase (FTase) is a critical step for its oncogenic function. The isolation of the coumarin-derived sesquiterpene galbanic acid from F. asafoetida extract as an active principal for FTase inhibitory action, collectively with the four structurally related sesquiterpenes such as karatayicinol, umbelliprenin, farnesiferol B and farnesiferol C. The 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of galbanic acid against FTase in an enzyme-based assay was calculated as 2.5μM. It also demonstrated potent inhibition of the proliferation of oncogenic ras-transformed NIH3T3/Hras-F in a dose-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ value of galbanic acid on the proliferation of oncogenic ras-transformed NIH3T3/Hras-F cells was calculated as 16.2μM, whereas its IC₅₀ value on control vector-transfected normal ras-containing NIH3T3/ZIPneo cells was 58.5μM.⁶³ Korashy etal⁶⁴ investigated the potential effects of 3 commonly used local herbal medicines such as Nigella sativa, Trigonella foenum-graecum and F. asafoetida on the expression of CYP2C11 gene at the mRNA, protein and metabolic activity levels in rat liver tissues. All the 3 herbs significantly inhibited the mRNA and protein expression levels of CYP2C11 in a dose-dependent manner. The invitro enzymes metabolic activity study showed a significant decrease in the formation of 4-hydroxy-tolbutamide, a tolbutamide metabolite, at the higher doses. Asafoetida was a strong inhibitor of CYP2C11 expression that can lead to an objectionable pharmacological effect of clinically used CYP2C11 substrate drugs with a low therapeutic index.

4.13. Anti-cytotoxicity activity, anti-obesity and fat lowering effect

Cytotoxicity and anticonvulsant activity of the methanol extracts of some Ferula species particularly F. asafoetida were evaluated by Bagheri etal.⁶⁵ To evaluate general cytotoxicity, the brine shrimp (Artemia salina) was employed as a model assay system, it provided a suitable in-house pre-screening method. The methanol extracts of Ferula species and the oleo-gum resin of F. asafoetida exhibited cytotoxic effect with LC₅₀ values in the range of 6–321μg/mL and showed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Azizian etal⁶⁶ determined the effect of F. asafoetida on weight gain, fat accumulation, liver steatosis and leptin level in type 2 diabetic rats. Two treatment groups received F. asafoetida oleo-gum resin at doses of 25 or 50mg/kg. Administration of F. asafoetida extensively decreased body weight, abnormal fat and size of epididymal adipocyte compared to untreated rats. Serum leptin levels were considerably decreased in treated rats. The results revealed that F. asafoetida gum has potent anti-obesity activities, fat lowering and can prevent liver steatosis. F. asafoetida gum can be a good candidate for the treatment of diabetes-induced obesity and hepatosteatosis.

4.14. Anxiolytic effect and anthelmintic activity

In 2012, Algasoumi⁶⁷ examined the anxiolytic, analgesic and sedative properties of asafoetida in rodents, using hole-board test, elevated plus maze, hot plate and motor activity meter. Diazepam was utilized as a reference anxiolytic agent. The results have shown a dose-dependent anxiolytic and analgesic activity of asafoetida, with a calm sedative outcome in high doses. Evaluated to diazepam, the asafoetida appears to be a better alternative for the treatment of anxiety disorders. The low doses of asafoetida can be a therapeutic alternative to the presently used anxiolytic drugs.

In 2013, Gundamaraju⁶⁸ evaluated the anthelmintic activity of three different concentrations of aqueous extract of F. asafoetida against Pheretima posthuma that involved the determination of time of paralysis and death of the worm. The extract has exhibited considerable anthelmintic activity at the highest concentration of 100mg/mL. It has also shown better significant activity than the standard drug of piperazine citrate.⁶⁸ The effect of dried Allium sativum clove powder, F. asafoetida dried latex powder and flower but dried powder of Syzygium aromaticum in invitro treatment against liver fluke Fasciola gigantic were studied by Kumar and Singh.⁶⁹ The anthelmintic activities of all the three plants were both concentration and time dependent. Ethanol extract was more toxic than other organic extract. The ethanol extract of F. asafoetida was highly toxic against F. gigantic. The dried root latex powder of F. asafoetida can be used as potent helminthicide.

4.15. Spermatic, testicular histopathology and antagonistic effect

In 2015, Bagheri etal⁷⁰ evaluated the effectiveness of asafoetida on spermatic parameters, blood testosterone levels and testis tissue. The asafoetida significantly increased the number and viability of sperms. Histological study showed that numbers of Leydig cells and spermatogenesis process were increased with increasing the dose. Johnsen score was found to be more when compared with experimental groups rather than the control group. Asafoetida has shown a positive effect on spermatic parameters even though the histopathological effects on the testis were observed, particularly at high doses.

Kiyanmehr etal⁷¹ evaluated the effect of different concentrations of F. asafoetida extract, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, and saline on methacholine concentration-response curve in tracheal smooth muscles incubated with β-adrenergic and histamine (H1) [group 1], and alone β-adrenergic [group 2] receptors antagonists. The study showed a parallel right-ward shift in the concentration-response curve of methacholine and achievement of maximum response in the presence of F. asafoetida, which support the competitive antagonistic effect of F. asafoetida at muscarinic receptor. The absence of maximum response to methacholine in group 1, also suggest an inhibitory effect for the plant on histamine (H1) receptor of tracheal smooth muscles.

Peer review under responsibility of The Center for Food and Biomolecules, National Taiwan University.

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