Search Results (56)

Water scarcity and rising fertilizer costs challenge the sustainable cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants in arid regions. This study evaluated the interactive effects of irrigation intervals (21, 28, and 35 days) and potassium sources (potassium sulfate and feldspar) and rates on growth, yield, essential oil productivity, and nutrient status of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) over two consecutive seasons in Middle Egypt. Extending irrigation intervals significantly increased soil electrical conductivity while reducing soil-available potassium, whereas soil pH, organic matter, and bulk density remained unaffected. Frequent irrigation (21 days) markedly enhanced vegetative growth, yield components, seed yield, and essential oil yield, producing up to 69.7 L ha⁻¹ oil compared with 50.5–52.0 L ha⁻¹ under 35-day intervals. Potassium fertilization significantly improved plant performance across all irrigation regimes, with potassium sulfate at 120 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ consistently producing the highest plant height (≈173 cm), number of umbels (≈45 plant⁻¹), 1000-seed weight (≈13 g), seed yield, and oil yield. Potassium sulfate at 120 kg K₂O ha⁻¹ consistently outperformed feldspar, though high-rate feldspar (572 kg K₂O ha⁻¹) significantly improved performance over the control, indicating potential as a supplementary source. Extending irrigation to 28 days reduced water application by approximately 23% compared to 21-day intervals, with acceptable yield levels when combined with adequate potassium supply. Potassium application enhanced seed and herb N, P, and K concentrations and mitigated the adverse effects of prolonged irrigation intervals, particularly under moderate water stress (28 days). Significant irrigation × potassium interactions confirm that optimal potassium nutrition improved water-use efficiency and reproductive performance. Overall, integrating frequent or moderately extended irrigation with an adequate potassium supply—especially soluble potassium sulfate—offers an effective strategy to sustain fennel productivity and essential oil yield under water-limited conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. According to the World Heart Federation, more than 500 million people were living with cardiovascular diseases in 2021. In this context, the use of medicinal plants has become increasingly widespread in populations as a preventive strategy against cardiovascular disorders. Foeniculum vulgare Mill., commonly known as fennel, is an aromatic and medicinal plant recognized for its beneficial properties in the treatment of various ailments, due to its richness in bioactive compounds. This review aims to summarize and analyze the cardiovascular activities of this plant, based on experimental evidence, and to provide an updated overview of its phytochemical composition and safety profile. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, encompassing all publications available up to 2024. This search included research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, and clinical studies published in English. Exclusion criteria comprised publication types such as letters, conference abstracts, unpublished theses, and non-peer-reviewed reports. Studies were also excluded if they did not specifically address Foeniculum vulgare Mill. or its cardiovascular activities. All studies were screened according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and relevant data were systematically extracted and analyzed to synthesize current knowledge on the cardiovascular activities, mechanisms of action, phytochemical composition, safety, and potential drug interactions of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Results: Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that Foeniculum vulgare Mill. exhibits a wide range of activities beneficial for cardiovascular health. These include antihypertensive, cardioprotective, vasorelaxant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, diuretic, hypotensive, hypolipidemic, antiplatelet, and anticoagulant effects. Such pharmacological actions are largely attributed to its rich phytochemical composition, particularly its volatile oils (e.g., trans-anethole, fenchone), flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, kaempferol), and phenolic acids (e.g., p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid). Most studies report no significant signs of toxicity. Conclusions: Foeniculum vulgare Mill. emerges as a promising medicinal plant for the prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases, owing to its multifaceted beneficial effects and its favorable safety profile. However, potential interactions with cardiovascular drugs and the current limitations of existing studies highlight the need for further clinical research to fully establish its therapeutic potential. Full article

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Apiaceae) is an aromatic medicinal plant known for its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, carminative, diuretic, and analgesic properties. This study aimed to investigate the effects of F. vulgare essential oil (FVEO; 25, 150, and 300 μL/L) on the cognitive performance and brain oxidative stress in a scopolamine (SCOP; 100 μM)-induced zebrafish model of cognitive impairment. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic properties and bioactivity profiles of the main FVEO constituents were predicted to be used in silico tools, including SwissADME, pkCSM, PASS online, and ADMETlab 2.0. Behavioral assays, novel tank diving test (NTT), Y-maze, and novel object recognition (NOR) test, were used to evaluate anxiety-like behavior, spatial memory, and recognition memory, respectively. Biochemical assessments of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress biomarkers were also conducted. The results demonstrated that FVEO significantly improved cognitive performance in SCOP-treated zebrafish, normalized AChE activity, and reduced oxidative stress in the brain. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of FVEO in ameliorating memory impairment and oxidative damage associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Full article

This study on Foeniculum vulgare Mill., derived from seeds collected in Meknes (Morocco), evaluates in vitro and in silico the therapeutic potential of its extracts and essential oil through a comprehensive analysis of its phytochemical composition, as well as its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Aqueous extracts (E0), hydroethanolic extract (E1) obtained via Soxhlet, decoction (E2), and essential oil (EO) obtained through hydrodistillation were analyzed using HPLC/UV-ESI-MS and GC-MS, revealing a richness in phenolic and terpenic compounds. The quantification of total polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins in aqueous and organic extracts was performed using spectrophotometric methods. Antioxidant activity was assessed through three methods: DPPH, FRAP, and Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC). The antimicrobial activity of the essential oil and decoction was evaluated by microdilution in microplate assays. The aqueux extract was dominated by butyl ferulate (14.33%), while hydroethanolic extract contained chlorogenic acid (14.79%) and quercetin-3-glucuronide (13%). The extract (E₂) was characterized by dihydrocaffeic acid (11.25%) and 3-O-caffeoylshikimic acid (11.08%), whereas the EO was primarily composed of fenchone (24.72%), trans-anethole (22.22%), and limonene (20.48%). Antioxidant assays (DPPH/FRAP/TAC) demonstrated decreasing efficacy as follows: EO exhibited the highest efficiency (IC₅₀ = 51.45 μg/mL), followed by E₁ (93.71 μg/mL), E₀ (212.86 μg/mL), and E₂ (397.41 μg/mL), confirming a correlation between phenolic composition and antioxidant activity. Furthermore, antimicrobial tests highlighted a pronounced fungicidal effect against Candida albicans (MIC = 3.13 mg/mL) and Aspergillus niger (6.25 mg/mL), contrasting with a more moderate inhibition of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Molecular docking simulations identified stable interactions between chlorogenic acid, quercetin-3-glucuronide, and microbial proteases, suggesting a synergistic inhibitory mechanism. This research validates the potential of F. vulgare as a source of bioactive molecules with promising applications in phytotherapy for managing oxidative stress and fungal infections, while emphasizing the need for clinical studies to confirm these effects in vivo. Full article

Fennel waste is rich in compounds that may have beneficial effects on human health. For this reason, the most abundant metabolites in fennel were isolated as the following: quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quinic acid, 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, kaempferol-3-O-glucuronide, and quercetin-3-O-glucuronide. After inducing inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells by stimulating them with IL-1β, the cells were treated with the specialized Foeniculum vulgare metabolites at different concentrations to assess their anti-inflammatory effect. Eicosanoids, fatty acids, and sphingolipids were extracted from the cell medium and quantified by UPLC-ESI-QTRAP-MS/MS analysis. The anti-inflammatory activity of the metabolites isolated from fennel waste was demonstrated. They were able to alleviate the inflammatory state in human bronchial epithelium by modulating the metabolic expression of both pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, fatty acids, and sphingolipids. These findings suggest the potential use of fennel waste in the production of dietary supplements to alleviate the symptoms of chronic inflammatory diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), where the continuous use of antiphlogistics may have significant side effects. Full article

This study investigated the impact of varying sowing dates and concentrations of humic acid (HA) on the growth, yield, and essential oil profile of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) across two consecutive growing seasons (2020/2021 and 2021/2022). The experiment was carried out at Aswan University’s Agricultural Experimental Farm in Egypt, utilizing a split-plot design with three sowing dates (15th October, 1st November, and 15th November) along with four HA concentrations (0, 2.5, 3.75, and 5 kg ha⁻¹). The results revealed that early sowing on 15th October and enrichment with 5 kg ha⁻¹ of HA significantly enhanced plant height, stem diameter, branch number, umbels per plant, and fruit yield. The highest fruit yield (2684 kg ha⁻¹) and essential oil yield (27.3 L ha⁻¹) were obtained from plants sown on 15th October and treated with 5 kg ha⁻¹ HA. Moreover, the essential oil composition was notably affected, with significant increases in the concentration of anethole, estragole, and other critical compounds under the same treatment. Conversely, delayed sowing reduced both the yield and oil content. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing sowing dates and HA application rates to maximize fennel’s yield and essential oil quality, particularly in arid regions. The findings of this study offer practical guidance for optimizing fennel cultivation in arid regions by integrating early sowing dates and humic acid applications, which can significantly enhance yield and essential oil quality. These insights are particularly valuable for the medicinal and aromatic plant industries, supporting sustainable agriculture and improving the commercial viability of fennel production under climate-challenged conditions. Full article

Background: (-)-Fenchone is a bicyclic monoterpene present in the plant species Foeniculum vulgare Mill, Thuja occidentalis L. (tuja), and Lavandula stoechas (lavender). These plants have therapeutic value in the treatment of intestinal disorders. Aim: To evaluate intestinal anti-inflammatory activity in an acute and chronic trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis model in rats. Methods: Intestinal anti-inflammatory effects were assessed using the acute and chronic TNBS-induced colitis model in rats. The mechanisms were evaluated from colonic tissue fragments of the acute and chronic models. Results: Oral administration of the (-)-fenchone (37.5–300 mg/kg) acute phase or (150 mg/kg) (p < 0.001) chronic phase reduced the macroscopic lesion score, ulcerative area, intestinal weight/length ratio, and diarrheal index in TNBS-treated animals. At a dose of 150 mg/kg, the acute and chronic phase decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) (p < 0.001), restored glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.001), decreased immunomarking for factor nuclear kappa B (NF-κB) and levels of interleukin (IL)-1 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and maintained IL-10 and TGF-β basal levels. Furthermore, increased immunostaining for zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) was observed. Conclusions: (-)-fenchone has intestinal anti-inflammatory activity related to cytoprotection of the intestinal barrier, as well as antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. Full article

Microbial deterioration poses a significant threat to built heritage, particularly mural paintings, where traditional synthetic biocides can have adverse environmental and material impacts. This study evaluates the effectiveness of essential oils derived from four aromatic plants—thyme (Thymus mastichina L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.), and green lavender (Lavandula viridis L’Hér.)—as natural biocides against microorganisms isolated from mural paintings in the House of Moscadim, an 18th-century manor house in Portugal. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils was assessed using both direct contact and micro-atmosphere methods. Four microorganisms were isolated, including two bacteria, Bacillus wiedmannii and Bacillus mobilis, and two fungi, Penicillium brevicompactum and Cladosporium cladosporioides. Fennel essential oil exhibited the strongest antifungal activity against both fungal species, surpassing the efficacy of the commercial biocide Biotin T^® in some cases. Pennyroyal and lavender essential oils also showed significant inhibitory effects. The micro-atmosphere method demonstrated the potential for noninvasive application of essential oils while preserving the integrity of delicate mural surfaces. These findings suggest that essential oils, particularly fennel oil, constitute a promising natural alternative to synthetic biocides for the sustainable conservation of cultural heritage. Further research is recommended to explore their long-term effects and to optimize application techniques. Full article

Background: Three herbal extracts (Asparagus racemosus Willd., Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz, and Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) were mixed with three essential oils (Foeniculum vulgare Mill., Mentha piperita L., and Pimpinella anisum L.) to formulate a product (HEMEO) whose active compounds include saponins and steroids in Asparagus racemosus, known for their anti-inflammatory properties; glycyrrhizin and flavonoids in Glycyrrhiza glabra, which exhibit gastroprotective and antispasmodic effects; menthol in Mentha piperita, contributing with antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties; and anethole and polyphenols in Pimpinella anisum, which modulate intestinal motility and offer antimicrobial activity. Objective: HEMEO was formulated for applications in intestinal motility disorders. Methods: HEMEO was evaluated for spontaneous and induced motility effects in isolated guinea pig ileum, colon, and stomach. Ex vivo experiments were conducted using LabChart software v7.0, and the product’s antibacterial action against Helicobacter pylori and its antioxidant effects were assessed through disc diffusion and FRAP assays. The presence of the volatile compounds in the formulation was confirmed by GC-MS analysis; the TPC of HEMEO, determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method, was 9.925 ± 0.42 mg GAE/g. Conclusions: HEMEO showed a phenolic content correlated with its antioxidant potential and in addition inhibited H. pylori growth and demonstrated notable antioxidant properties, suggesting its role as a supportive agent in digestive processes and in managing motility disorders. Full article

Foeniculum vulgare Mill, commonly known as fennel, is an aromatic herb traditionally used for culinary and medicinal purposes, with potential therapeutic effects on neurological disorders. However, limited research has focused on its neurotrophic impact, particularly on neuronal maturation and synaptic development. This study investigates the neurotrophic effects of F. vulgare ethanol extracts (FVSE) on the maturation of rat primary hippocampal neurons. Results show that FVSE and its prominent component, anethole, significantly promote neurite outgrowth in a dose-dependent manner. Optimal axonal and dendritic growth occurred at concentrations of 40 µg/mL FVSE and 20 µM anethole, respectively, without causing cytotoxicity, underscoring the safety of FVSE for neuronal health. Additionally, FVSE enhances the formation of synapses, essential for neuronal communication. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that FVSE components influence critical neurotrophic pathways, including PI3K-AKT and Alzheimer’s disease pathways. Specifically, FVSE modulates key proteins, including tropomyosin receptor kinase (Trk), glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3β^ser9), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (Erk1/2). Anethole was found to play a key role in regulating these pathways, which was confirmed by immunocytochemistry experiments demonstrating its effect on promoting neuronal growth and synaptic development. In conclusion, this study highlights the neurotrophic properties of FVSE, with anethole emerging as a critical bioactive compound. These findings provide valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of fennel in treating neurological disorders, offering a basis for future research into interventions promoting neuronal growth and survival. Full article

Infectious diseases, including vector-borne and antibiotic-resistant infections, present significant global health challenges, necessitating the exploration of natural alternatives for disease control. In this study, we investigated the essential oil (EO) profile as well as larvicidal and antibacterial properties of two wild Apiaceae species used in Algeria: Daucus carota L. (DCEO) and Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (FVEO). EO was extracted from the aerial parts by steam distillation and analyzed using Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Major constituents identified in DCEO were geranyl acetate (50.07%) and elemicin (10.77%), while FVEO contained estragole (24.93%), fenchone (20.20%), and α-phellandrene (17.96%). Both EOs were highly effective towards Culex pipiens larvae, with low LC₅₀ values of 30.6 ± 1.06 ppm for DCEO and 34.7 ± 1.06 ppm for FVEO, indicating their potential as bioinsecticides due to their bioactivity and bioavailability. Additionally, the two Eos demonstrated moderate antibacterial efficacy against gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus aureus MRSA ATCC 43300, respectively, with DCEO showing MIC values of 10 and 20 mg/mL, respectively, and FVEO exhibiting MIC values > 20 mg/mL. However, both EOs showed limited effectiveness against gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 700603. These results highlight the potential applications of DCEO and FVEO as natural bioinsecticides and antibacterial agents, offering promising avenues for further research and development in pest control and food preservation. Full article

Background: Active compounds from plants and herbs are increasingly incorporated into modern medical systems to address cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Foeniculum vulgare Mill., commonly known as fennel, is an aromatic medicinal plant and culinary herb that is popular worldwide. Methods: Protective effects against cellular damage were assessed in the H9C2 cardiomyocyte hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) experimental model. The identities of phytochemicals in FVSE were determined by GC-MS analysis. The phytochemical’s potential for nutrients and pharmacokinetic properties was assessed by ADMET analysis. Results: GC-MS analysis of the ethanol extracts of F. vulgare identified 41 bioactive compounds, with four prominent ones: anethole, 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-propanone, ethoxydimethylphenylsilane, and para-anisaldehyde diethyl acetal. Among these, anethole stands out due to its potential for nutrients and pharmacokinetic properties assessed by ADMET analysis, such as bioavailability, lipophilicity, flexibility, and compliance with Lipinski’s Rule of Five. In the H/R injury model of H9C2 heart myoblast cells, FVSE and anethole suppressed H/R-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA double-strand break damage, nuclear condensation, and the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). Conclusions: These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of FVSE and its prominent component, anethole, in the treatment of CVDs, particularly those associated with hypoxia-induced damage. Full article

This study aimed to assess the effect of using selected herbs as companion crops in soybean cultivation on the yield and overall health of soybeans. A three-year field experiment (2021–2023) was conducted using a randomized block design with three replications, where the primary experimental variable was the sowing method. The innovative cropping system involved cultivating soybeans alongside different companion herbs, such as alyssum (Lobularia maritima L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), borage (Borago officinalis L.), French marigold (Tagetes patula L.), calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), and a herbal mixture referred to as ‘MIX’. The study showed that cultivation of soybean with fennel improved the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the yield, with a significant increase in seed yield (on average by 0.27 t ha⁻¹) as well as protein (7.67%) and oil yield (8.57%) compared to the pure soybean crop. The following fungal diseases were identified during the three-year study period (2021–2023): Cercospora leaf blight, Ascochyta blight, Fusarium wilt, and downy mildew. Cultivation of soybean with herbs as companion crops was implemented to improve the health of soybean to a varied extent. Borage, marigold, and calendula companion crops reduced infection of soybean by the fungi C. kikuchii and F. oxysporum. Cultivation with fennel and marigold was also beneficial for soybean health. On the other hand, cultivation with sweet alyssum and a mixture of herbs increased the occurrence of the fungus A. sojaecola. Cultivation of soybean in association with herbs is legitimate and requires further research given the priorities facing 21st-century agriculture. Full article

This study aimed to determine the optimal pressure and temperature for the maximum extraction yield and recovery of lipophilic bioactive compounds (BACs) during the supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SCO₂) of fennel seeds. For this purpose, the SCO₂ pressure (78.6–361.4 bar) and temperature (35.9–64.1 °C) were varied and optimized, and all of the extracts obtained were analyzed for the volatiles, fatty acids, sterols, tocochromanols and carotenoids. The results showed that the maximum extract yield and content of all of the compounds analyzed favored a higher pressure (320 bar) and lower temperature (40 °C), except for the volatiles, which were the highest at 120 bar and 42 °C. However, the optimal SCO₂ conditions for obtaining the highest overall total lipophilic fraction were 320 bar and 40 °C, respectively. The fennel SCO₂ extract obtained under these conditions contained 18 volatiles (trans-anethole as the major component), 12 fatty acids (oleic and petroselinic as the major compounds), 12 sterols (β-sitosterol and stigmasterol as the major compounds), two pentacyclic triterpenoids (α-, β-amyrin), one tocopherol (α-tocopherol), two tocotrienols (γ-, δ-tocotrienol) as well as two carotenoids (lutein and β-carotene). The SCO₂ proved to be very efficient for the isolation of various lipophilic BACs from fennel, and the results of this study may be of interest to academia and industry. Full article

Corrosion worldwide causes large losses of metal, which is why various ways are being sought to slow it down. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of fennel fruit essential oil (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and its main component anethole. The inhibitory effect of three different concentrations of the fennel essential oil and anethole (1.0 mL/L, 1.5 mL/L, and 2.5 mL/L) in a solution of 1 M HCl at 298 K for 6 h on a sheet of low-carbon steel was investigated. The inhibitory effect was established using gravimetric methods evaluating weight loss, corrosion rate, and inhibition efficiency, as well as electrochemical methods. In gravimetric studies, the inhibition effect of the inhibitors fennel essential oil and isolate anethole at a concentration of 2.0 mL/L was 70.85% and 45.86%, respectively. The anodic polarization curve data at 298 K demonstrate that the anethole and fennel essential oil adsorption on the metal surface creates a barrier that hinders hydrogen ions’ access and prevents them from being reduced on the steel surface’s cathode sites. Fennel essential oil acting as a mixed type-inhibitor can replace synthetic organic substances and could become an alternative to be used as environmental corrosion inhibitors. Full article