foeniculum vulgare from spice to pharma: recent advances in its medicinal value, bioactivities and perspectives

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 medicine for the treatment of many ailments. this differentparts of f. vulgare, including seeds, leaves, aerial part and fruits, has been found to contain diverse phytochemicals, suchas anethole, fenchone, limonene, estragole, and p-coumaric acid. in particular, anethole and fenchone as the chief isolatedfrom f. vulgare, have been proven to possess notable antioxidant, antitumor, carminative, diuretic, and galactagogue effectsand 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 forfurther research and development on this medicinal plant.