Antihyperglycemic Effect of Asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida Oleo-Gum-Resin) in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Asafoetida, an oleo-gum-resin obtained from the roots of Ferula assafoetida, is used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases including, asthma, epilepsy, gastrointestinal disorders and influenza. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of the asafoetida extract in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including: control, diabetic and diabetics treated with the asafoetida extract at doses of 50, 100 and 300 mg/kg. The animals were rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin. Diabetic rats received the asafoetida extract daily in drinking water for 4 weeks. The blood glucose and lipids were spectrophotometrically measured in all groups at weeks 0 (before diabetes induction), 2 and 4. Diabetic rats showed an elevated serum glucose level over those of control rats at weeks 2 and 4 (P<0.05) and treatment of diabetic rats with the asafoetida extract at dose of 50 mg/kg significantly lowered the serum glucose concentration in comparison to diabetic rats. Regarding serum lipids, diabetes induction for 4 weeks did not change the triglyceride, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations in diabetic rats compared to controls. In conclusion, the asafoetida extract administration at dose of 50 mg/kg for 4 weeks shown the hypoglycemic activity in streptozotocin-diabetic rats during 2 week and at the end of 4 week of treatment period. This effect can be explained at least in part by nd th the presence of the phenolic acids (ferulic acid) and tannins in the extract.