Evaluation of anti - helmintic activity of Ferula foetida “ Hing - A natural Indian spice ” aqueous extract

Anti-helmintic drug is an agent that destroys or causes the expulsion of parasitic intestinal worm. They may also be called vermifuges (stunning) or vermicides (killing). Asafoetida is the dried latex (gum oleoresin) exuded from the living underground rhizome or tap root of several species of Ferula (three of which grow in India), which is a perennial herb (1 to 1.5 m high). Asafoetida is extensively used for flavouring curries, sauces, and pickles. It is also used in medicines because of its antibiotic properties. Ferula foetida (F. foetida), commonly known as “Hing”, have shown promising therapeutic value due to the prescence of various therapeutic phytoconstituents such as terpenoids, sulfide derivatives, volatile oil, phenols, and minerals. The various pharmacological actions such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anticancer, antidiabetic and other various activites have been studied[1]. This activity was initially assessed by numerous proofs. In generally, various chemical constituents such as tannins, poly-phenolic compounds, tannins (they can bind to free proteins in the gastro intestinal tract of host animals), essential oils, flavanoids, and terpenoids are responsible for anti-helmintic activity. And fortunately, these compounds are found in asafoetida. The resins of this plant consists of sesquiterpenecoumarins present in asafetida are assafoetidnol A and assafoetidnol B which are found to have antimicrobial properties[2]. Galbanic acid is also one of the widely present sesquiterpene in resin portion of the drug[3]. Ferula species are found to have a PEER REVIEW ABSTRACT