Fennel Extract Powder 10:1 20:1 50:1 TLC
【Botanical source】: Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
【Part used】:  Seeds
【Specification】:  10:1 20:1 50:1 TLC
【Appearance】: Brownish yellow fine powder
【Extraction solvents】: Water
【Particle size】: 95% pass 80 mesh size
【Main ingredients】: Fennel is a common spice and medicinal plant, mainly composed of volatile oils (such as anise ether and anise aldehyde), flavonoids, vitamin C, minerals (potassium, calcium, etc.), and dietary fiber. Its core functions include promoting digestion, relieving gastrointestinal spasms, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, and regulating female hormone levels. It is widely used in dietary therapy and traditional medicine. The main components of fennel include:
1.Volatile oil (accounting for about 3% -6%)
Mainly composed of anise ether and anise aldehyde, it has a unique aromatic odor and is a key component in the pharmacological effects of fennel.
2.Flavonoids
Quercetin and kaempferol have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
3.Vitamins and minerals
The content of vitamin C is high, and elements such as potassium and calcium help maintain electrolyte balance.
4.Dietary fiber
Promote intestinal peristalsis and improve constipation problems.
【Storage conditions】：Store at room temperature in a sealed manner, away from light, and in a ventilated, cool, and dry environment.【Shelf life】： 24 months from the production date

Fennel Extract Powder Production Flowchart
Fennel seeds raw materials -Coarse powder(40 mesh) -Low temperature water extraction – 1^st Reflux Extraction(10 times water,2 Hrs) – 2^nd Reflux Extraction8 times water,1.5 Hrs) – 3rd Reflux Extraction(6 times water,1 Hrs) – Extraction Solution-combine&Filtrate-Concentrate-Extractum-spray drying – screening – packaging – detection of physical and chemical indicators – warehousing

Specification Sheet of Fennel Extract Powder

Extended Reading

Modern Pharmacological Research on Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) Extract

1. Active Constituents

The primary bioactive compounds in fennel vary by plant part and chemotype:

• Essential Oil Components: Trans-anethole (50-80%), fenchone (5-20%), estragole (methyl chavicol; variable, often <10%), limonene, α-pinene
• Flavonoids: Rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, and their glycosides
• Phenolic Acids: Chlorogenic acid, rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid derivatives
• Coumarins: Bergapten, imperatorin
• Phytosterols: Stigmasterol, β-sitosterol
• Fixed Oil Components: Petroselinic acid (major fatty acid), linoleic acid

2. Key Pharmacological Activities
3. Gastrointestinal and Antispasmodic Effects

• Smooth Muscle Relaxation: Demonstrated in isolated ileum and tracheal preparations; mediated through calcium channel blockade and anticholinergic mechanisms
• Clinical Applications: Symptomatic relief of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), infantile colic, and dyspepsia
• Mechanism: Anethole and fenchone act as spasmolytics on intestinal smooth muscle; essential oil reduces visceral hypersensitivity

1. Estrogenic and Galactagogue Activity

• Phytoestrogenic Effects: Anethole derivatives show estrogen receptor binding and mild estrogen-mimetic activity
• Clinical Evidence: Several studies support efficacy in reducing menopausal symptoms (hot flashes, vaginal dryness) and primary dysmenorrhea
• Galactagogue Action: Traditionally used to promote lactation; limited clinical evidence suggests possible prolactin modulation

1. Antimicrobial and Antifungal Properties

• Broad-Spectrum Activity: Essential oil demonstrates efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including drug-resistant strains, and Candida species
• Mechanisms: Membrane disruption, inhibition of biofilm formation, and virulence factor suppression
• Synergistic Effects: Enhances activity of conventional antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and fluconazole

1. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects

• Potent Free Radical Scavenging: High phenolic content confers significant activity in ORAC, DPPH, and FRAP assays
• Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms:
  • Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), lipoxygenase (LOX), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)
  • Downregulation of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways
  • Reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β)

1. Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Activity

• Blood Glucose Reduction: Demonstrated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rodents; mechanisms include α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition, improved insulin sensitivity, and pancreatic β-cell protection
• Lipid Profile Improvement: Reduces total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides while increasing HDL in hyperlipidemic models
• Mechanisms: PPAR-γ activation, enhanced adiponectin secretion, and inhibition of hepatic cholesterol synthesis

1. Hepatoprotective and Nephroprotective Effects

• Liver Protection: Against chemical-induced hepatotoxicity (e.g., paracetamol, carbon tetrachloride) through antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and anti-fibrotic mechanisms
• Kidney Protection: Attenuates drug-induced nephrotoxicity and diabetic nephropathy by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory markers

1. Neuropharmacological Effects

• Anxiolytic and Antidepressant-like Activity: Demonstrated in rodent behavioral tests; potentially mediated through GABAergic and serotonergic modulation
• Cognitive Enhancement: Improves memory in scopolamine-induced amnesia models
• Neuroprotective: Reduces oxidative stress and acetylcholinesterase activity in brain tissue

1. Anticancer Potential (Preclinical)

• Cytotoxic Activity: Against various cancer cell lines (breast, liver, colon, cervical) in vitro
• Mechanisms: Cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway, anti-angiogenic effects
• Chemopreventive: Inhibits carcinogen activation and promotes detoxification

3. Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism

• Anethole Metabolism: Rapidly absorbed and metabolized to anisic acid derivatives; undergoes hepatic cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation and conjugation
• Estragole Safety Concern: Metabolized to 1′-hydroxyestragole, which can form DNA adducts; carcinogenic in high doses in rodent models
• Bioavailability: Nanoencapsulation and lipid-based delivery systems shown to enhance bioavailability of phenolic compounds

4. Toxicology and Safety Profile

• Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status for food use
• Estragole Content Regulation: European Medicines Agency recommends limits in medicinal products due to genotoxic potential
• Acute Toxicity: Low oral toxicity (LD₅₀ > 2 g/kg in rodents)
• Drug Interactions: Potential interactions with cytochrome P450 substrates (particularly CYP1A2 and CYP3A4) and fluoroquinolone antibiotics
• Contraindications: Hormone-sensitive conditions (breast/ovarian/endometrial cancer, endometriosis), pregnancy (high doses may stimulate uterine contractions), epilepsy (theoretical risk with fenchone)

5. Clinical Evidence

• Strongest Evidence: Efficacy in infantile colic (multiple RCTs show reduction in crying time)
• Moderate Evidence: Primary dysmenorrhea relief and menopausal symptom management
• Limited Evidence: Galactagogue effects, IBS symptom management
• Standardization Issues: Variable phytochemical profiles affect clinical trial outcomes

6. Conclusion

Fennel extract possesses a diverse pharmacological profile with strong scientific support for its gastrointestinal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and estrogen-modulating properties. The essential oil, particularly rich in anethole, mediates many effects, while phenolic compounds contribute significantly to antioxidant activity. Major research gaps include large-scale human trials for most indications, long-term safety studies, and standardized extraction protocols. The estragole content remains a safety consideration requiring quality control in therapeutic products. Future research should focus on clinical validation, pharmacokinetic studies in humans, and development of estragole-free cultivars or extracts for safer long-term use.

References

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