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Synonym: Asafoetida, Gum Asafoetida, Devil's dung.
Biological source: Asafoetida is the oleo-gum resin obtained by incision from the rhizomes and roots of Ferula foetida, Ferula rubricaulis
Family: Umbelliferae.
Geographical source: It is a genus of perennial herbs distributed from Mediterranean region to Central Asia, specifically Iran and Afghanistan. Three species of Ferula are found in India. Ferula narthex occurs in Kashmir.
Macroscopic characters:
Colour: Yellowish-white changing to reddish-brown
Taste: Bitter, alliaceous and acid
Odour: Intense, persistent, penetrating and alliaceous
Size: The tears are 0.5 to 3 cm in diameter
Shape: !t occurs in 2 different forms i.e. tears and masses. Tears are rounded or flattened.
Chemical constituents:
Asafoetida contains
Resin (40 to 65%),
Gum (20 to 25%), and
Volatile oil (4 to 20%),
The resin of the drug consists chiefly
Asaresinotannol in the free or combined form with ferulic acid.
Free umbelliferone is absent in the drug (distinction from galbanum),
Ferulic acid on treatment with hydrochloric acid is converted into umbellic acid, which looses water to form umbelliferone,
Oil of asafoetida is obtained by steam distillation of the oleo-gum resin,
The chief constituents of the oil are secondary butyl propanyl disulphide.
Other constituents of oil are di and trisulphides, pinene and other terpenes.
The specific odour of the drug is due to sulphur compounds of the formulae C7 H14 S2, C16H20S2 and C10H18S2
Uses:
It is used as
Carminative,
Nervine stimulant, or in intestinal flatulence,
As flavouring agent for curries, sauces and pickles and in veterinary medicine
Identification
Fractured surface of the drug, + sulphuric acid =======> Red or reddish-brown colour,
Drug + 50% nitric acid===========================> Green colour,
Drug + Triturated with water======================> Yellowish-orange emulsion.
Triturate about 0,5 g of the drug with sand and 5 ml of hydrochloric acid, to it, add little quantity of water, filter and to the filtrate add equal volume of ammonia, A blue fluorescence is produced due to presence of umbelliferone
References:
1. Trease D. & Evans W.C.: Text Book of Pharmacognosy: W.B. Saunders.
2. Tyler V. E. Brady L. R. & Robbers J. E.: Pharmacognosy; Lea Feibger, USA.
3. Wallis T. E.; Text Book of Pharmacognosy; CBS Publishers, Delhi.
4. Kokate C. K., Purohit A. P. & Gokhale S. B.: Pharmacognosy; Nirali Publications, Pune.
5. Harbone J. B.: Phytochemical Methods: A guide to modern techniques Analysis: Chapman & Hall, London.
6. Bruneton J.: Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Medicinal Plants: Intercept Limited.
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