Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel)

Fennel
Pharmacology
Pharmacognosy

1. Foeniculum vulgare

2. Fennel

3. Introduction Botanical name : Foeniculum vulgare Family : umbelliferae English Name: Fennel , sweet fennel , bitter fennel Urdu Name : saunf Part Used: dried ripe fruit Chemical class: volatile oils

4. Sweet fennel Bitter fennel Sweet fennel is derived from F.vulgare subsp. Vulgare var. dulce . Sweet fennnel contains more than 80%anethole 10%estragole and less than 5% fenchone . Bitter fennel is derived from dried ripe fruit of F. vulgare ,subsp. Vulgare,var . vulgare Bitter fennel contains 60%anethole,10-30% fenchone and less amount of estragole . Types of fennel

5. Chemical constituents: Major constituents : anethole Other constituents: fenchone limonene Estragol Volatile oils Anisic acid Anisic aldehyde Salts Na,K,P Coumarin vitamins A&C

6. Uses Anethole is used as anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory Fennel is used as carminatives Fennel contains Vitamin C which is used as anti-oxidant. Coumarin shows anti- coaggulant effect. Fennel has bronchodilatory effect. Anethole may influence milk secretions. Salts containing Phosphorous lowers the level of sodium which is essential for maintaining the blood pressure.

7. Cont… As flavourant . Use in perfumes and soap preparation.

8. Mechanism of action on account of its carminative properties fennel water ha similar properties with those of dill water mixed with sodium-bi-carbonate and syrup ,these water constitute the domestic “Gripe Water”used to correct flatulence of infants. Vitamin C is body’s primary water –soluble anti- oxidant,which is able to neutralize the free radicals in all aqueous environment of body. Fennel ha bronchodilatory effect due to potassium channel opening effect.

9. Cont… Anethole's effects may be mediated by modulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) - induced cellular responses, controls the expression of some genes involved in carcinogenesis and inflammation Coumarin competitively inhibit vitamin K and interfere with blood clotting.

10. Side effects Nausea Vomiting Allergic reactions Cause convulsions

11. Drug interaction Ciprofloxacin interacts with fennel. ciprafloxacin is an anti- biotic.taking along with fennel decrease its effectiveness.so take fennel atleast after one hour of taking ciprofloxacin. Estrogen interacts with fennel. large amount of fennel might have same effect as of estrogen so taking fennel along with estrogen pills decreases the effect of estrogen pills.

12. Cont… Tamoxafen interacts with fennel. Some types of cancers are effected by hormones in body such as: estrogen-sensitive cancer that are effected by estrogen level in body.temoxifen is used to treat cancer.fennel seems to effect estrogen level in body. So taking temoxifen with fennel decrease the effectiveness of temoxifen .

13. Contraindications During pregnancy and breast feeding it is best to avoid use . because infants experienced damage to their nervous system. Fennel cause allergic reaction in people who are skin sensitive so do not use fennel. Fennel might slow blood clotting so taking fennel might increase the risk of bleeding in people with bleeding disorders

14. Dosage Adult PO fluid extract: 3-6ml/day Adult PO essential oil: 5-20 drops/day Adult PO fennel compound tincture:5-7.5g daily. Adult PO herb 5-7g daily. Toxicology Fennel oil is genotoxic in the Bacillus subtilis DNA repair test. Estragole , present in the volatile oil, has caused tumors in animals

15. References www.sigmaaldrich.com (MOA) www.m.webmd.com (side effects) Mosby”s handbook of herb&natural suplements . www.drugs.com Drugs.laws.com