Asafoetida

Asafoetida oleo-gum resin is obtained as an exudation by incising the rhizomes and roots of different Ferula species belongs to Family: Umbelliferae which are distributed from the Mediterranean region to Central Asia and contains about 40-64% resin (ester of asareninotannols, ferulic acid, pinene, vanillin and free ferulic acid), 25% endogeneous gum and 4-20 % volatile oil. Various activities of different Ferula species like antispasmodic and hypotensive activity, Molluscicidal activity, antioxidant activity, antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity, antifungal activity, antibacterial, Influenza A (H1N1) Antiviral and cytotoxic activity  have been reported. The root acetone extact of Ferula gummosa is reported for its anticonvulsant property. Asafoetida is regularly consumed by the Indian population in food preparations so we decided to conduct our studies on regular available Asafoetida in India. In Ayurveda, asafoetida is considered to be one of the best spices for balancing the vata dosha. Asafoetida oleo-gum-resin is used traditionally for digestion, asthma, bronchitis, hysteria and as contraceptive/abortifacient and also has been claimed to be antiepileptic in classical Unani as well as ethnobotanical literature. So the present study was carried out to evaluate the anxiolytic and antiepileptic effect of Asafoetida.