Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) : medicinal properties in alcoholic extraction

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel, Fenouil) — family Apiacées.

Scientific synonyms : Foeniculum vulgare-(L)-Karst.

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 Lapo v2 catalogue records 101 scientific references for this species (full detail in the application).

Important — scientific references on this public page: only a short excerpt of each cited source is shown (selected abstract sentences), kept in the original language of the publication (most often English), without translation. These excerpts are not the full article text and are not a complete bibliography. The full reference records and complete monographic detail are available in the Lapo v2 application (free 30-day trial).

1. 1

   Adjuvant treatment for liver and lung cancer

   Plant part used: Seed.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to KE W (2021)

     Excerpt Studies have shown that various Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) extracts exhibit anti-cancer effects on malignant tumors such as skin cancer & prostate cancer. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors.

   • According to Author (2017)

     Excerpt The biochemical analyses of hepatic enzymes were evaluated by estimating blood biomarkers of liver & renal damage along with histological examination. Foeniculum vulgare (Apiaceae) is commonly known as fennel.

   • According to OZbêck H (2004)

     Excerpt Hepatoprotective activity of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) essential oil was studied using a carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis model in rats. The results of this study clearly indicate that F vulgare essential oil has a potent hepatoprotective action against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats.

   • According to Ozbek H (2003)

     Excerpt Hepatoprotective activity of Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) essential oïl (FEO) was studied using carbon tetrachloride (CCl (4)) induced liver injury model in rats. The results of this study indicate that FEO has a potent hepatoprotective action against CCl (4)-induced hepatic damage in rats.

   • According to Ghanem V (2012)

     Excerpt Phenolic compounds from Foeniculum vulgare (Subsp. Piperitum) (Apiaceae) herb & evaluation of hepatoprotective antioxidant activity.

2. 2

   Cancer: adjuvant treatment of carcinoma: breast, prostate, uterine and leukaemia

   Plant part used: Seed.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Binneman B (2008)

     Excerpt 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. Of all the ethanol extracts, Foeniculum vulgare was found to have the best activity on HeLa cells, which exhibited an IC50 value of 19.97± 0.048 µg/ml.

   • According to KE W (2021)

     Excerpt Studies have shown that various Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) extracts exhibit anti-cancer effects on malignant tumors such as skin cancer & prostate cancer. Collectively, in vivo & in vitro results suggest that FVE exerts inhibitory effects in HCC by targeting the oncoprotein survivin, suggesting FVE may be a potential anti-cancer agent that may benefit patients with HCC.

   • According to KE W (2021)

     Excerpt Various extracts of Foeniculum vulgare have shown promising anticancer activity; however, effects on lung cancer & the underlying molecular mechanisms of action are not clear. Taken together, these findings suggest that EEFS exerts anti-lung cancer activity by targeting the Bcl-2 protein & may have potential as a therapeutic drug for lung cancer.

   • According to Author (2017)

     Excerpt It is concluded that fennel oil has various pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-cancer activity, anti-inflammatory. Foeniculum vulgare (Apiaceae) is commonly known as fennel.

   • According to Namrita L (2015)

     Excerpt The results showed that compound 2 showed high toxicity against all the cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 14.24, 7.82 and 22.10 μg/mL, respectively. vulgare was found to exhibit the most significant toxicity with an IC50 value of 19.97 μg/mL on HeLa cells.

3. 3

   Vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women

   Plant part used: Seed.

   Scientific references (short excerpts)

   Short excerpts only (not the full article). Full reference records are in the Lapo v2 application.

   • According to Yaralizadeh M (2016)

     Excerpt CONCLUSION:

   • Excerpt According to results of this study, Fennel is an effective means to manage the symptoms of vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women & is devoid of side effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Fennel vaginal cream on vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women in Ahvaz, Iran.

   • According to Author (2019)

     Excerpt This review paper evaluates use of Foeniculum vulgare extracts as a popular female plant in management of different ailments of women. Topical & vaginal fennel extract (5%) exhibited good efficacy in treatment of sexual function, vaginal atrophy & hirsutism.

   • According to Pourjafarr A (2019)

     Excerpt The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of fennel & flaxseed during pre- & post-natal period until puberty & menopause on ovarian follicular reserve (OFR). Conclusions: It can be concluded that fennel alone & in combination with flaxseed could improve OFR during pregnancy, lactation & afterwards until puberty & menopause.

   • According to Javidnia K (2003)

     Excerpt Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, is a plant, which has been used as an estrogenic agent. Idiopathic hirsutism is defined as the occurrence of excessive male pattern hair growth in women who have a normal ovulatory menstrual cycle and normal levels of serum androgens.

   • According to Karampoor P (2014)

     Excerpt Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) has estrogenic, anti-inflammatory & antioxidant effects & traditionally used for treatment of infertile women. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women, which affects 5-10% of them in their reproductive age.

Further indications (including other extraction modes where applicable), dosages, precautions for use, and the <strong>full scientific references</strong> (complete records, not only the short excerpts above) are available in the complete monographic record in the Lapo v2 application.