Anthelmintic Effects of the Essential Oil of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgareMill., Apiaceae) against Schistosoma mansoni. Issue 7 (July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wakabayashi, Kamila A. L.; de Melo, Nathalya I.; Aguiar, Daniela P.; de Oliveira, Pollyanna F.; Groppo, Milton; da Silva Filho, Ademar A.; Rodrigues, Vanderlei; Cunha, Wilson R.; Tavares, Denise C.; Magalhães, Lizandra G.; Crotti, Antônio E. M.
• Is Part Of: Chemistry & biodiversity. Volume 12:Issue 7(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 1105
• Page End: 1114
• Publication Date: 2015-07
• Subjects: Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Biodiversity -- Periodicals; 572
• DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201400293
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1612-1872

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Foeniculum vulgare</italic> <sc>Mill</sc>. (Apiaceae), known as fennel, is a widespread aromatic herbaceous plant, and its essential oil is used as additive in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and perfume industries. The <italic>in vitro</italic> antischistosomal activity and cytotoxic effects against V79 cells of the essential oil of <italic>F. vulgare</italic> cultivated in southeastern Brazil (FV‐EO) was investigated. The FV‐EO was obtained by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC‐FID and GC/MS analyses. (<italic>E</italic>)‐Anethole (69.8%) and limonene (22.5%) were identified as the major constituents. Its anthelmintic activity against <italic>Schistosoma mansoni</italic> was evaluated at concentrations of 10, 50, and 100 μg/ml, and it was found to be active against adult <italic>S. mansoni</italic> worms, although it was less effective than the positive control praziquantel (PZQ) in terms of separation of the coupled pairs, mortality, and decreased motor activity. However, FV‐EO elicited an interesting dose‐dependent reduction in the number of <italic>S. mansoni</italic> eggs. On their own, (<italic>E</italic>)‐anethole and the limonene enantiomers were much less effective than FV‐EO and PZQ. An XTT‐cytotoxicity‐based assay evidenced no FV‐EO cytotoxicity against V79 cells. In summary, FV‐EO displayed moderate <italic>in vitro</italic> schistosomicidal activity against adult <italic>S. mansoni</italic> worms, exerted remarkable inhibitory effects on the egg development, and was of low toxicity.</p> </abstract>