Asafoetida

Generic name: Ferula Assa-foetida L.
Brand names: Asa Foetida, Asafetida, Asafoetida, Devil's Dung, Gum Asafoetida, Hing, Stinkasant

Usage of Asafoetida

Antifungal activity

In vitro data

In preliminary assays in an experimental study, asafetida essential oil (1.25 to 10 mcL/mL) did not demonstrate adequate antifungal activity against Alternaria species, Bipolaris sorokiniana, or Acremonium sclerotigenum and was therefore excluded from further exploration.(Mafakheri 2018)

Antiprotozoal effects

Animal data

Asafoetida demonstrated some activity against cryptosporidiosis in mice, but its effects were less than with nitazoxanide.(Abdelmaksoud 2020)

Antispasmodic and hypotensive effects

Animal data

Antispasmodic and hypotensive effects of the gum extract have been demonstrated in animal experiments.(Fatehi 2004)

Antiviral activity

In vitro data

Antiviral activity by sesquiterpene compounds of F. assa-foetida has been demonstrated in vitro against influenza A virus (H1N1).(Lee 2009)

Cancer

Asafetida is a potent antioxidant(Saleem 2001) and ferulic acid, a component of the resin, has shown promise as a chemopreventive agent,(Mallikarjuna 2003) suggesting that asafetida may offer some protection against carcinogenesis. The mechanism through which asafetida may exert antitumor activity is unclear. Hypotheses include interception of free radicals, inhibition of natural killer cells, induction of enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase and quinone reductase, and inhibition of polyamine and DNA biosynthesis.(Appendino 2006, Saleem 2001)

Animal and in vitro data

In vitro studies have shown some cytotoxicity against lymphoma ascites, chronic myelogenous leukemia cells, liver cancer cells, and human lymphocytes.(Unnikrishnan 1988, Verma 2019) Apoptotic and antiproliferative qualities have been demonstrated in vitro with a dithiolane-rich essential oil and farnesiferol C extracts. Mechanisms included downregulation of nuclear factor kappa B and tumor growth factor-beta gene expression, followed by increases in caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression, inhibition of cell cycle–related proteins, and attenuation of histone acetylation.(Jung 2019, Verma 2019) Protection against the mutagenicity induced by aflatoxin B1 has also been demonstrated(Soni 1997); however, this effect was only evident against one strain of Salmonella typhimurium and was less than the effect observed with turmeric and garlic.

Administration of F. assa-foetida conferred considerable protection against chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis in young female rats.(Mallikarjuna 2003) The reduction in the mean number of mammary carcinomas per rat (regarded as the most reliable index of mammary tumorigenesis in experimental animals) was highly significant in rats receiving asafetida as part of their diet (1.25% or 2.5% w/w). Long-term studies showed a reduction in the multiplicity and size of palpable mammary tumors, as well as a delay in the mean latency period of tumor appearance. The addition of asafetida in the diet did not affect food intake.

Dental applications

Clinical data

A 0.5% asafoetida mouthwash was compared with a standard chlorhexidine mouthwash in 126 patients with dental plaque and gingivitis. Significant reductions in the plaque index and modified gingival index were observed in the asafoetida group; the reduction in plaque index was also significantly greater than that in the chlorhexidine group at study end.(Hashemi 2019)

Diabetes

Animal data

An ethyl acetate extract of asafoetida gum was associated with decreased glucose and lipids in diabetic rats, without significant weight loss.(Rafiee 2020)

Irritable bowel syndrome

Clinical data

A Cochrane systematic review and meta-analysis identified 2 small studies (N=129) of very low overall quality and high or unknown risk of bias that evaluated homeopathic use of asafetida versus placebo or usual treatment (dicyclomine) in patients with IBS-C. A statistically significant difference in global improvement was found for the intervention compared with placebo in one study, and no difference was observed between asafetida and usual care (high doses of dicyclomine). The authors concluded that no recommendations could be drawn due to the very low quality of the data. The 2019 updated review identified 2 additional studies (N=178) that confirmed the authors' initial conclusion.(Peckham 2013, Peckham 2019)

Pesticidal activity

Animal and in vitro data

Molluscicidal activity of F. asafetida plant parts and components has been demonstrated against snails, which act as intermediate hosts for the fasciola cattle fluke.(Kumar 2006, Kumar 2009)

Asafoetida side effects

Localized eczematous lesions were observed on the abdomens of 32 very young infants (1 to 6 months of age) after topical application of asafetida oleo-gum-resin essential oil to the abdominal area. Lesions varied from erythematous papules and macules to annular or bizarre-shaped plaques and were associated with xerosis of the skin. The duration of asafetida application ranged from 2 days to weeks; only 4 of the infants had a history of atopic dermatitis.(Tempark 2016)

Before taking Asafoetida

Avoid use. Asafetida has been used traditionally as an emmenagogue and abortifacient.(Ernst 2002)

Ethanolic extracts of F. assa-foetida were used in an experiment to determine the (non–estrogen-related) effect on pregnant rats. Pregnancy interceptive activities were established for the extract, possibly caused by interference in the energy metabolism of the uterus.(Keshri 2004)

How to use Asafoetida

Clinical evidence is lacking to support dosing recommendations.

Warnings

Ingestion has not been associated with severe toxicity in adults. However, one case report described the development of severe methemoglobinemia in a 5-week-old child following ingestion of an undetermined quantity of glycerated asafetida solution (a mixture of asafetida, glycerol, propylene glycol, and calcium carbonate).(Kelly 1984) In vitro testing has found that asafetida gum exerts a strong oxidative effect on purified fetal hemoglobin, leading to the conclusion that this folk remedy be considered potentially life-threatening to infants.

What other drugs will affect Asafoetida

Several coumarin derivatives have been isolated from asafetida resin,(Abd El-Razek 2001) suggesting the possibility for potentiation of pharmacologic activity of anticoagulant drugs (eg, warfarin).(Heck 2000) Published reports of such interactions are lacking, and the clinical importance of such effects is unknown.

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