Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) — family Apiacées.

Recognised external sources linked to this monograph: TRAMIL and French Pharmacopoeia.

This database documents alcoholic (ethanol) extractions of active substances. Our monograph currently lists 17 indications in alcoholic extraction for this species. The monograph draws on 101 scientific references recorded for the species.

Therapeutic indications in alcoholic extraction:

Note: scientific reference excerpts are kept in their original language (most often English), without translation, to respect the source text of publications.

1. Cancer : Plant part used: Seed. Documented pharmacological profile: Doxorubicine-like.
   Selon Binneman B (2008) : A naphthoquinone, 7-methyljuglone and some of its 5-hydroxy, 5-acetoxy-, 5-alkoxy- & 1,2,4,5-tetra-O-acetate derivatives were tested for their activity in four human cancer cell lines: breast adenocarcinoma, cervical epithelial carcinoma, oesophageal carcinoma and prostate epithelial carcinoma. The ethanol extracts of seven plant species (ethnobotanically selected) were also tested for their cytotoxicity, assayed by the XTT assay, against four human cancer cell lines at concentrations ranging from 0.78 to 100 µg/ml. Selon KE W (2021) : Studies have shown that various Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) extracts exhibit anti-cancer effects on malignant tumors such as skin cancer & prostate cancer.
2. Depression : Plant part used: Seed. Documented pharmacological profile: Fluoxétine-like. Mentioned synergistic association: Vetiveria zizanioïdes-racine.
   Selon GLORY JL (2015) : But as a group together they are equally effective as Fluoxetine (10mg/kg) The results of the present study indicated the antidepressant activity of VZ & FV & their potential for use of an adjuvant in depression. Both Forced swimming test (FST) & Tail suspension test (TST) were used for screening antidepressant effect, the ethanolic extract of VZ (100mg/kg) & FV (200mg/kg) together, Fluoxetine (10mg/kg) & saline were administered 30mts prior to the tests & the immobility period was recorded for 6mts.The antidepressant effect of both were compared to that of Fluoxetine.
3. Autoimmune disease : Plant part used: Seed. Documented pharmacological profile: Lévamisole-like. Mentioned synergistic association: Cuminum cyminuma,, Nigella sativa-semences, Mentha.

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use and full scientific references are available in the complete monograph.

Photo credit : Photo de Carsten Niehaus, section d’image agrandie (CC BY-SA 4.0). License : CC BY-SA 4.0.