Foeniculum vulgare Mill. from Spice to Pharma: Recent Advances in Its Medicinal Value, Bioactivities, and Perspectives

Abstract

Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (F. vulgare) belongs to the family Apiaceae with numerous medicinal and traditional applications. It has been widely used in South Asia as an important ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of many ailments. This plant of F. vulgare, including the seeds, leaves, aerial part and fruits, has been found to contain diverse phytochemicals, including anethole, fenchone, limonene, estragole, and p-coumaric acid with various bioactivities. In particular, anethole and fenchone as the chief bioactives isolated from F. vulgare, have been proven to possess notable antioxidant, antitumor, carminative, diuretic, and galactagogue effects and is useful in amenorrhoea, dental decay and irritable bowel syndrome. This review summarizes the botanical activitis, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of F. vulgare, along with the clinical studies to serve as the basis for further research and development on this medicinal plant.