asafoetida

Names

Common Names

• asafetida
• asafoetida
• assa-foetida
• devil's-dung

Regional and Traditional Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Peucedanum hooshee
• Scorodosma assa-foetida
• Peucedanum assa-foetida
• Ferula foetida
• Ferula hooshee
• Narthex silphium
• Narthex polakii

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales, it is classified under the family Apiaceae. Specifically, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Ferula, of which Ferula assa-foetida is a notable species.

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread geographical distribution across several key regions of the continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Libya. Moving into Central Asia, the species can be found throughout Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Additionally, the plant is established within Western Asia, particularly in the country of Iran. Together, these locations highlight its ability to thrive across diverse territories in the Old World.

Plant Parts

Chemicals

Ferula assa-foetida has 96 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Farnesiferol C, Galbanic acid, 8-acetoxy-5-hydroxyumbelliprenin, Coumarins, Farnesiferol B.

Farnesiferol C

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of Asian natural products research
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Fitoterapia

Galbanic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology
3. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
4. Fitoterapia

8-acetoxy-5-hydroxyumbelliprenin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of natural products

Coumarins

1. Letters in applied microbiology
2. Current diabetes reviews

Farnesiferol B

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fitoterapia

Karatavicinol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Umbelliprenin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Fitoterapia

arginine

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)
2. Journal of proteomics

ferulic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening

1-methylpropyl 1-propenyl disulfide

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Ferula assa-foetida has 233 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Antimicrobial, Antiviral, Apoptotic, Antimutagenic.

Most Reported Activities

Medicinal Uses

Ferula assa-foetida has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, gastrointestinal disorders, Breast Cancer, Candida albicans, HCT-116 cells.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations