Oleo gum resin of Ferula assa-foetida L. ameliorates peripheral neuropathy in mice.
BACKGROUND
According to the Chinese, European, Iranian and Indian traditional medicines, oleo gum resin of Ferula assa-foetida (asafoetida) has therapeutic effects on different kinds of diseases. Some of these effects are related to the diseases of nervous system such as hysteresis and convulsion. In recent studies, some anti-epileptic and neuroprotective roles were also considered for it and we examined its possible role on treatment of peripheral neuropathy.


METHODS
in vitro studies were carried out to identify the response of isolated sciatic nerves to different concentrations of oleo gum resin of asafoetida solved in Lock׳s solution. Then, in vivo studies were conducted to evaluate its effect on amelioration of peripheral neuropathy in mice. Peripheral neuropathy was induced by intraperiotoneal injection of high doses of pyridoxine in adult Balb/c male mice. Tail flick tests were performed to identify the incidence of neuropathy in animals. After 10 days treatment with asafoetida, the efficiency of treatment was assessed by behavioral, electrophysiological and histological studies.


RESULTS
in vitro experiments confirmed that incubating the nerves in aqueous extract of oleo gum rein of asafoetida increased the amplitude and decreased the latent period of nerve compound action potential (CAP). Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and amplitude of CAP also improved in asafoetida treated animals. Histological and behavioral studies showed that asafoetida was able to facilitate the healing process in peripheral nerves.


CONCLUSIONS
in vitro experiments showed that asafoetida is a nerve stimulant and its administration in neuropathic mice exerted neuroprotecting effects through stimulating axonal regeneration and remyelination and decrement of lymphocyte infiltration.
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran; Neurobiomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. Electronic address: F_homayounim@yahoo.com.
Farshad
F
Homayouni Moghadam
Neurobiomedical Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Maryam
M
Dehghan
Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Ehsan
E
Zarepur
Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Reyhaneh
R
Dehlavi
Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Fatemeh
F
Ghaseminia
Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Shima
S
Ehsani
Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Golnaz
G
Mohammadzadeh
English Language Department, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
Kazem
K
Barzegar
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D005309:Ferula; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011736:Pyridoxine; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D012116:Resins, Plant; D011736:Pyridoxine
Asafoetida; Neuroprotective; Peripheral neuropathy