Efficacy of the herbal formula of Foeniculum vulgare and Rosa damascena on elderly patients with functional constipation: A double-blind randomized controlled trial / 中西医结合学报

BACKGROUND@#Constipation is a common chronic bowel disorder with an incidence of more than 50% in the elderly population. Complementary and alternative medicine is a cost-effective and satisfactory treatment for constipation used widely by the elderly.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study evaluates the efficacy of an herbal formula made from Foeniculum vulgare Mill. and Rosa damascena for the treatment of constipation in an elderly population and consequent changes to their quality of life.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION@#This double-blind randomized active controlled clinical trial, with parallel group allocation ratio of 1:1, was conducted in a referral clinic in Afzalipour Hospital, affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences in Kerman, Southeastern Iran. Individuals over 60 years of age, diagnosed with functional constipation (based on the Rome IV criteria), were included in this study. Participants received a sachet of 10 g F. vulgare and R. damascena (herbal formula group) or polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG 4000 group) with a glass of warm water two times a day for 4 weeks and were followed up for 4 additional weeks.@*MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES@#Constipation severity, stool consistency, and the quality of life were used as the primary outcomes. Drug side effects were used as a secondary outcome. The outcomes were assessed using the Constipation Assessment Scale, the Bristol Stool Form Scale, and the Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life questionnaire.@*RESULTS@#A total of 25 participants in each group completed the four-week treatment cycle and the eight-week follow-up. At the end of the four-week treatment cycle, all clinical outcomes had significant improvements in both groups (P < 0.05). The analysis of constipation severity (P < 0.001), stool consistency (P < 0.001), and the quality of life (P < 0.001) showed significant improvements with fewer side effects (mild diarrhea) and a longer duration of symptom relief in the herbal formula group compared to the PEG 4000 group.@*CONCLUSION@#Although both interventions significantly improved the treatment outcomes, constipation severity, stool consistency and the quality of life were improved more effectively by the herbal formula than by PEG 4000; however, the mechanism of action is not yet understood.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#This trial was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCTID: IRCT20200108046056N1).

Extraction kinetics of volatile components from Foeniculum vulgare by steam distillation / 中草药

Objective To reveal the dissolution rule of volatile oil in the extraction processfrom Foeniculum vulgare by GC-MS analysis. Methods The volatile oil of F. vulgare was extracted by steam distillation; The volatile oil/perfume system was collected at fixed time interval (30 min); The volatile oil part and perfume part were separated. Using N-docosane and methyl myrisate as double internal standard, GC-MS was selected for analysis and quantification. The main components were extracted by thermography, and the distribution regularity of components was definited. The principal components with the impact on the composition distribution were investigated according to the physical and chemical properties of the molecular weight, melting point, boiling point, and density of the compounds. Results The GC-MS analysis results concluded 123 volatile components. The main components were estragole, anethole, and (R)-(+)-limonene. There were 60 and 27 endemic components in aromatic aqueous solution and volatile oil, respectively, in which 27were common composition. The content of anethole in water was positively related to the endemic components in aromatic water, and even had a positive correlation with anethole artemisia content and (R)-(+)-limonene content. The specific components in the oil were positively related to the content of the main components (R)-(+)-limonene in the volatile oil. The principal component analysis showed that the physical and chemical properties of the compounds were important factors affecting the distribution of components; PC1 (molecular weight and positive correlation of melting point), PC2 (refractive index positive correlation), and PC3 (water-soluble negative correlation) were the principal components that lead to differences in component distribution. Conclusion In the process of extracting volatile oil from F. vulgare, steam distillation is affected by the physical and chemical properties of volatile components. Some components are specifically distributed in aromatic perfume and volatile oil system. The endemic components of aromatic water increase the content of the main components in the water system, which may lead to theproduction of "emulsification" during the extraction process of volatile oil and reduce the yield and quality of volatile oil.

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Protects against Lipopolysaccharide-induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice through ERK-dependent NF-kB Activation

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (fennel) is used to flavor food, in cosmetics, as an antioxidant, and to treat microbial, diabetic and common inflammation. No study to date, however, has assessed the anti-inflammatory effects of fennel in experimental models of inflammation. The aims of this study were to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of fennel in model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury. Mice were randomly assigned to seven groups (n=7~10). In five groups, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 1% Tween 80-saline (vehicle), fennel (125, 250, 500micro l/kg), or dexamethasone (1 mg/kg), followed 1 h later by intratracheal instillation of LPS (1.5 mg/kg). In two groups, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with vehicle or fennel (250microl/kg), followed 1 h later by intratracheal instillation of sterile saline. Mice were sacrificed 4 h later, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissues were obtained. Fennel significantly and dose-dependently reduced LDH activity and immune cell numbers in LPS treated mice. In addition fennel effectively suppressed the LPS-induced increases in the production of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, with 500microl/kg fennel showing maximal reduction. Fennel also significantly and dose-dependently reduced the activity of the proinflammatory mediator matrix metalloproteinase 9 and the immune modulator nitric oxide (NO). Assessments of the involvement of the MAPK signaling pathway showed that fennel significantly decreased the LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK. Fennel effectively blocked the inflammatory processes induced by LPS, by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine production, transcription factors, and NO.

Aspectos anatômicos de plântulas Foeniculum vulgare Mill / Anatomical aspects of the Foeniculum vulgare Mill. seedling

A erva-doce, Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Apiaceae), é uma erva entouceirada, aromática que apresenta propriedades condimentares e medicinais; tem origem Européia e é amplamente cultivada em todo o Brasil. Devido à deficiência de informações relativas à organização estrutural de plântulas de espécies medicinais, o presente estudo teve como objetivo fornecer informações sobre a anatomia e o desenvolvimento de plântulas de F. vulgare. As sementes de erva-doce foram semeadas em areia e mantidas em casa de vegetação por 25 dias, sendo realizadas regas diárias. Foram selecionadas plântulas normais e de padrão uniforme, que tiveram raiz, zona de transição, caule, cotilédones e primeiras folhas seccionados à mão livre. Este material foi corado e montado em lâminas com glicerina para observação em microscópio. Em todos os órgãos da plântula de erva-doce a epiderme é unisseriada, cuticularizada e com estômatos; sendo que as duas últimas estruturas não são encontradas na raiz, porém esta apresenta pêlos unicelulares e cônicos. Os cotilédones e as folhas apresentam funções fotossintéticas e nutricionais, indicadas pela presença de grande quantidade de estômatos, cloroplastos e amido. A caracterização anatômica de plântulas de F. vulgare auxilia na identificação da espécie e no conhecimento da organização celular, fornecendo informações que auxiliam em estudos fisiológicos, taxonômicos e ecológicos.

Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Apiaceae), is a forming clumps herb and presents aromatic, medicinal and condimental properties. It has European origin and is widely cultivated and used in Brazil. Due to lack of information concerning the structural organization of seedlings of medicinal species, this study aimed to provide information about the anatomy and development of F. vulgare seedlings. The seeds fennel was sowed in sand and maintained in greenhouse for 25 days, with daily waterings. Were selected normal seedlings and with patterns uniforms, for freehand seccion of root, transition zone, stem, cotyledons and first leaves. This material was stained and mounted on slides with glycerol for observation under microscope. In all the parts of seedling fennel the epidermis is uniseriate, with a cuticle and stomata, and the two latter structures are not found in the root, but has tapered hairs unicellular. The cotyledons and the leaves have photosynthetic and nutrition functions, as indicated by the presence of large numbers of stomata, chloroplast and starch. The anatomical characterization of the F. vulgare seedling aids in specie identification and knowledge of cellular organization, providing information that assists in physiological, taxonomic and ecological studies.

Polyploidy of Foeniculum vulgare induced by colchicine / 中草药

Objective To explore the induced effects of colchicine in different concentration and times on Foeniculum vulgare polyploidy.Methods Seed germination rate and mutation rate,morphology of radicle induced mutants,chromosome number,tissue structure,and content and component of essential oil,which induced by colchicine in different concentiation and times were investigaled using the method of soaking seeds.Results The results showed that 0.13% of colchicine concentration and 24 h inducing time had the best induction on F.vulgare polyploidy.Compared to the control,the radicle of mutant was thicker,the chromosome number increased clearly,and the cell number in radicle manifolded distinctly.Among the four main components of essential oil,the contents of Dill apiol in anamorphosis radicle was a little lower than that of the control,but the contents of limonene,(E)-anethole,and camphene in anamorphosis radicle were all remarkably higher than that of the control after induced by colchicine.ConclusionThe content of main essential oil components in fennel mutant induced by colchicine is remarkably enhanced.The study provides the theoretical basis for the breeding of F.vulgare new varieties of high oil content.

Study on Foeniculum Vulgare Mill as Penetration Enhancer for the Permeation of 5-Fluorouracil / 中成药

Objective: To study the effect of volatile oils from Foeniculum Vulgare Mill, anisaldehyde, anethole and water extracts on the percutaneous penetration of 5 fluorouracil. Methods: With Valia Chien horizontal diffusion cell and HPLC method to observe the effect of volatile oils of Foeniculum Vulgare Mill, anisaldehyde, anethole on the percutaneous penetration of 5 fluorouracil. Results: The volatile oils of Foeniculum Vulgare Mill, anethole, anisaldehyde possessed the high promoting action on percutaneous absorption of 5 fluorouracil, and their enhancement ratio are 7.14, 4.17, 9.54, respectively. Conclusion: The volatile oils of Foeniculum Vulgare Mill, anethole, anisaldehyde enhance the skin permeation of 5 fluorouracil effectively.