HINGU (ASAFOETIDA)

Description

Ferula assa-foetida is a monoecious, herbaceous, perennial plant of the family Apiaceae. It grows to 2 m (61⁄2 ft) high, with a circular mass of 30–40 cm (12–16 in) leaves. Stem leaves have wide sheathing petioles.The plant is a perennial branching herb about 3 meters in height. Asafetida is present as whitish gummy resinous emulsion in the schizogenous ducts of the cortex of the stem, rhizome and root. Drug is usually collected from the rhizome and root. The root is sliced successively lower at the end of every week and drug collected as above till no more exudation takes place. The drug is dried, packed and exported.

Chemical composition :

Asafoetida shows it to consist of carbohydrates 67.8% per 100 gms, moisture 16.0%, protein 4.0%, fat 1.1%, minerals 7.0% and fiber 4.1%. Its mineral and vitamin contents include substantial calcium besides phosphorus, iron, carotene, riboflavin and niacin. Its calorific value is 297, contains 40-64% resinous material composed of ferulicacidumbel-liferoneasaresinotannolsfarnesiferols A, B, and Cetc., about 25% gum composed of glucose, galactose, l-arabinose, rhamnose, and glucuronicacidand volatile oil (3-17%) consisting of disulfides as its major components, notably 2-butyl propenyldisulfide (E- and Z-isomerswithmonoterpenes (α- and β-pinene, etcfree ferulic acid, valeric acid, and traces of vanillin (LAF). The disagreeable odour of the oil is reported to be due mainly to the disulphide C11H20S2.
Properties :
• Rasa: Katu
• Guna: Tikshana
• Virya: Usna
• Vipaka: Katu
• Karma: Anulomana, Dipana, Hrdya, Krmighna, Pacana, Rucya, Vatakaphaprasamana
.Benefits :

1. Neuroprotective :
   • F. asafoetida’s neuroprotective role is demonstrated by its ability to act as a nerve stimulant in the management of neuropathic pain by encouraging axonal regeneration and remyelination while reducing lymphocyte infiltration.1
   • The ability of F. asafoetida to improve memory is due to its antioxidant effects and suppression of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.
2. Hypertention :
   The F. asafoetida gum extract was found to be efficient in lowering blood pressure.
3. Liver disorder:
   The polyherbal suspension of F. asafoetida and extracts of Momordicacharantia Linn., Nardostachys jatamansiwas are found to have a significant hepatoprotective impact by lowering blood enzymes, including glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase
4. Antimicrobial Activity:
   • The antimicrobial activity of asafoetida extracts was tested against a variety of fungal and bacterial species.
   • By inhibiting the fungi and bacteria, the alcoholic and aqueous extracts showed significant antimicrobial activity. B. subtilis, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and S. aureus were tested for antibacterial activity, while A. niger and Candida albicans were tested for antifungal activity of Hing.
5. Anticancer property:
   In rat colon cancer, the chemopreventive potential of F. asafoetida oleo-gum-resin was studied by measuring tumour size, tumour multiplicity, and tumour incidence, as well as serum total sialic acid levels.
6. Diabetes:
   Asafoetida extract demonstrated blood sugar-lowering activity and thus can be used to lower blood sugar levels in diabetes patients due to the presence of phenolic acid and tannins in the extract.
7. Anti-obesity and Fat Lowering Activity:
   • The effects of F. asafoetida on weight gain and fat buildup in diabetic patients were researched, and it was discovered that it reduced body weight, abnormal fat, and adipocyte cell size.
   • As a result, it will be regarded a viable therapy option for diabetes-induced obesity.