Fitoterapia. 2003 Apr; 74(3): 317-9.

Hepatoprotective effect of Foeniculum vulgare essential oil.

Ozbek H, UÄraÅ S, D�lger H, Bayram I, Tuncer I, Ozt�rk G, Ozt�rk A.

Y�z�nc� Yil University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, Van 65300, Turkey. [email protected]

Hepatoprotective activity of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) essential oil (FEO) was studied using carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) induced liver injury model in rats. The hepatotoxicity produced by acute CCl(4) administration was found to be inhibited by FEO with evidence of decreased levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin. The results of this study indicate that FEO has a potent hepatoprotective action against CCl(4)-induced hepatic damage in rats.