Asafin^® – An exotic herbal prokinetic for gut health

A significant population around the globe has been reported to suffer from one of the other gastrointestinal disorders, which ultimately affecting their quality of life. Functional dyspepsia (FD), a persisting dyspepsia condition characterized by discomforts such as bloating, early satiety, postprandial fullness, belching, heartburn, indigestion, and epigastric pain has been reported to cause about 10-30% prevalence worldwide. A study conducted in the United States (US), the United Kingdom and Canada, women at all ages were shown to have a higher prevalence than men. The impact of gut disorders in the United States is considerably high with an estimated annual health care expenditure of about $150 billion dollars.

Ayurveda, the Indian System of Medicine believed to be developed 5000 years ago, has beautifully described a spectrum of diseases that can be related to functional dyspepsia. FD is regarded as a swatantra vyadhi (independent disease), caused by conditions of aggravated pitta (amlapitta) or indigestion caused by aggravated pitta (vidagdha ajeerna). Avipaka (indigestion), utklesa (vomiting), hrthkantadaaha (burning sensation in upper digestive tract), tiktha amla udgara (burping and sour taste in mouth) have been regarded as the main lakshana (Symptoms).

There is no single reason for the cause of functional dyspepsia. Rather, there may be several reasons for the pathogenesis and the cause may include: ahaara (diet such as carbonated drinks, fatty and fried food), vihaara (lifestyle with lack of timely food intake, lack of proper sleep), manasikabhaava (mental factors such as stress, anxiety, depression, anger etc).

Asafin^®: An exotic herbal ingredient for gut health

A number of medicinal plants have been mentioned in the Ayurvedic classics for protecting our physical, mental and social well being. Hingu, (Ferula asafoetida L.) is one among them. It is the oleo-gum-resin obtained from the rhizomes and roots of Ferula asafoetida L. In the ayurvedic classic called Charaka samhitha, hingu is mentioned as an agroushada (best single drug) for various ailments in the digestive system and as a deepaniya anulomaniya dravya (carminative and antiflatulent drug). It can correct the digestion by increasing the agni (digestive fire), removes the excess intestinal gases and helps in proper expulsion of fecal matters. It is very often regarded as the FOOD OF GOD. Modern pharmacological studies have substantiated their beneficial pharmacological effects for brain, liver, heart and gut health; and many scientific reviews are available. It is a popular food additive (flavor) in USA and Europe with GRAS and EFSA approval.

Despite the immense medicinal properties, the unfavourable odour and taste of the oleo gum resin (due to the presence of sulphur compounds) make it unfit for daily consumption. Here comes the importance of Akay’s innovative (Patented) FENUMAT^TM technology – to bind, encapsulate, disperse and hence to convert asafoetida oleo-gum-resin into free-flowing, directly compressible, taste-masked ‘natural’ beadlets for easy consumption and better absorption, Self-emulsifying, sustained-release natural beadlets for safe consumption. Asafin^® has been clinically substantiated to reduce dyspepsia symptoms at a dose of less than 250 mg/day.

Why to choose Asafin^®?

100% natural & food grade
Minimized taste and odour
Clinically substantiated to manage functional dyspepsia

References

Kim YS et al., J NeurogastroenterolMotil. 2020; 26 (3): 322-334.
Peery et al., Gastroenterology 2019; 156 (1): 254-272.
Mala K. N et al., Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018, Article ID: 4813601.
Vijayasteltar et al., Toxicology reports, 2017, 4: 382-390.