Anti-fertility effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) seed in male Wistar rats

Abstract

Introduction:The study aimed to investigate the anti-fertility effect of fennel (Foeniculim vulgare Mill) seed extract in male rats. Material and Methods: Forty Wistar rats were divided into five equal groups. The control group received distilled water and the experimental groups were orally administered 1 ml of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel seed in four doses of 35, 70, 140, and 280 mg/kg/b.w. daily for 60 days. After the last gavage, the rats were anaesthetised and the caudal part of the right epididymis was used for sperm counting. After fixation of the testes, microscopic sections were prepared and histological changes were evaluated. Results: The number of spermatogonia after doses of 140 and 280 mg/kg and Sertoli cells after a dose of 140 mg/kg decreased significantly as compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The number of primary spermatocytes and sperm count decreased significantly in the experimental groups (70, 140, and 280 mg/kg) when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, thickening of the basement membrane, cell apoptosis, and irregular arrangement of the germinal epithelium were observed in the experimental groups. Conclusion: Hydro-alcoholic fennel seed extract at these doses could reduce reproductivity and has anti-fertility activity in male rats.

Fennel induces cytotoxic effects against testicular germ cells in mice; evidences for suppressed pre‐implantation embryo development

“…Minding that, any reduction in spermatogenesis and/or spermiogenesis processes remarkably affects total sperm volume, it is logic to suggest that, the FVEO‐reduced differentiation and miogenesis of germ cells could fairly affect sperm count. In corroboration with our findings, Mansouri and co‐workers showed that, the hydro‐alcoholic extract of FV (at dose levels of 70, 140, and 280 mg kg −1 ) reduces spermatogonial cells population and remarkably diminishes sperm count versus control rats . However, the question is that, how does the FVEO impact the spermatogenesis?…”

“…However, the question is that, how does the FVEO impact the spermatogenesis? Indeed, not all but some previous findings have illustrated that, the flavonoids (albeit at higher levels) are able to inhibit cell division or stimulate apoptosis by restraining the DNA replication . In line with this issue, several previous studies have shown that, the flavonoid inhibit the K562, HeLa, EC‐109, NCI‐H446 cells, A549, and human colon cancer cell lines proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner.…”

“…Based on soil, sun radiation, and mild climate, some other minor constituents are detectable inclusing: R‐pinene, limonene, β‐pinene, β‐myrcene, β‐sitoserol, and p‐cymene . Moreover, sweet FVE contains nonvolatile constituents including, flavonoids and coumarins …”

Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of tinnitus: An updated literature review

“…In this regard, there has been a renewed interest in the approaches of traditional medicine and phytotherapy in medical arena. Medicinal plants and their derivatives have been studied, by the application of scientific approaches, in vitro, with animals, and ultimately in clinical trials so that more efficient therapeutic approaches and drugs can be discovered [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] . Apart from drug therapy, other methods are used in tinnitus therapy such as phytotherapy (Table 2).…”

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“…Local people use them for prevention and treatment of various disorders [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] . Also researchers have evaluated and confirmed their therapeutic properties [27][28][29][30][31] . They can be used to produce more effective drugs if they are investigated in additional studies [32][33][34][35][36] .…”