The Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Foeniculum vulgare Mill on Leukocytes and Hematological Tests in Male Rats

Abstract

Background:Medicinal plants have a long history in treating blood disorders, which is one of the most common problems in today's advanced world. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a medicinal plant with a high content of polyphenols and has antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel on some hematological indices in male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (five rats in each group). The first group (control) did not receive any dose; the second group (sham) received 1 mL normal saline (extraction solvent); and the experimental groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively received 1 mL hydro alcoholic extract of fennel in four doses of 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg of body weight every 48 hours for 30 days by gavage. One day after the last gavage following induction of anesthesia and taking blood from the heart of rats, measurement of red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit and tests of bleeding and coagulation time (CT) were performed. The data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA test using SPSS15 software. Results: Fennel increased mean RBC (7.54 ± 0.53 × 106) and WBC (5.89 ± 0.78 × 103) values, especially at a dose of 250 mg/mL and CT (2.45 ± 0.20) at a dose of 500mg/mL compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Fennel increased red and white blood cells probably due to the presence of polyphenols and antioxidant activity of fennel and reduced negative effects of free radicals on blood cells.

Antidepressant and Antiamnesic Potential of Foeniculum vulgare

“…Aromatic property of Foeniculum vulgare is responsible for its utilization in cosmetic industry as well as food and beverages [14]. Though leaves and stalks of herb are consumed as vegetable, but seeds are considered as most useful [15].…”

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

“…The herb is an aromatic plant belonging to the Umbelliferae family, and is an annual, biennial, or perennial plant about 2.5 m in height with feathery leaves and yellow flowers (19) and indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean and southern Europe (2). The usable parts of the fennel plant are the root, leaf, and fruit (23). Its therapeutic properties are due to volatile compounds, phenols, and flavonoids in the plant extract.…”

Evaluation of Immunomodulatory Activity of the Herbals Formula Viranur, Turmeric (Curcuma heyneana Val.) and Phyllanthus (Phyllanthus niruri L.) in Layer Chicken Vaccinated with Avian Influenza

“…The relationship of lymphoid follicles in Bursa of Fabricius with antibody titers has also been proved by Qureshi et al [11], that bursa of Fabricius damage due to infection with infectious bursal disease virus caused depletion of lymphocytes in medulla lymphoid follicles and the fall of antibody titers in the blood of [12]. Other studies showed that extracts of alcohol fennel can increase the average red blood cells and white blood cells in the rat at a dose of 250 mg/kg and can increase cloting time (CT) at a dose of 500 mg/kg [13].…”

“…Type A is classified into several subtypes based on the surface antigens, i.e. 16 subtypes of HA (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16) and nine subtypes of NA (1-9) [5,6]. Type A of influenza is not only responsible for disease problem in birds, humans and pigs, but also the aquatic mamals, namely seals and whales [7].…”