Hypolipidemic and Hypoglycemic Activities of Asafoetida (Ferula assafoetida Linn.) Ultrasonically Extracted in Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder which is characterized by hyperglycemia, oxidative stress and lipid dysregulation. Ferula assafoetida Linn. (asafoetida) is a Phenolics, flavonoids, coumarins, ferulic acid, volatile oils and sulphur compounds which have antidiabetic activity. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) is a green technique that can improve recovery of heat-sensitive phytochemicals. Resin of asafoetida was extracted using UAE with 70% ethanol (30-40 Hz, 20-30 min) and compared with the conventional maceration. The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity were measured. Thirty wistar rats were divided in to control, diabetic control, diabetic treated with UAE, conventionally extracted treated diabetic and diabetic treated with metformin groups. Glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, lipid profile, alanin aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine and urea were determined. One-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test was used to analyze the data, with p≤0.05 being significant. UAE showed higher total phenolic and flavonoid content than conventional extraction. UAE showed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) inhibition levels of >80%, 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) activity higher than 2-fold and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) reducing power nearly two folds higher. UAE treatment lowered glucose and HbA1c levels while insulin levels in diabetic rats. The levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (LDL) were reduced, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were elevated, ALT, AST, creatinine and urea improved. UAE was effective in the recovery of asafoetida phytochemicals and exhibited significant antidiabetic, lipid-modulatory, hepatoprotective and nephroprotective potential in diabetic rats.