Anti-Obesity, Fat Lowering and Liver Steatosis Protective Effects of Ferula asafoetida Gum in Type 2 Diabetic Rats: Possible Involvement of Leptin

Objective: control of weight gain is an important strategy in reducing the diabetes incidence. recently, herbal drugs have been used as a complementary and alternative medicinal care. this study was conducted to determine the effect of ferula asafoetida on weight gain, fat accumulation, liver steatosis and leptin level.materials and methods: all rats of control and treatment groups received daily tap water (p.o) as vehicle mixed with fructose 10%. two treatment groups received faf oleo-gum resin at doses of 25 or 50 mg/kg (p.o). normal rats received only tap water and standard chow food. body weights, abdominal fat, size of epididymal adipocyte and serum leptin were recorded.result: administration of ferula asafoetida significantly decreased body weights, abdominal fat and size of epididymal adipocyte compared to untreated rats (p < 0.05). levels of serum leptin were significantly decreased in treated rats (p < 0.05).conclusion: this study showed that ferula asafoetida extract has anti-obesity, fat lowering effects and can prevent liver steatosis in type 2 diabetic rats. reduction of serum leptin is associated with protective effects of ferula asafoetida in obese diabetic rats.