Medicinal plants have been used traditionally worldwide for the prevention and treatment of liver disease. Pimpinella anisum (Anise) or Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) are used frequently as spices. The present work aimed to investigate the possible potential protective effect of Anise and Fennel essential oils, against carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) induced fibrosis in rats. Administration of ccl4 (1.5ml/kg /kg.b.wt ) intra-pretoneally (IP) in olive oil (1:7 dilution) for 7 successive weeks resulted in liver damage manifested by significant increase in serum AST.ALT. ALP, decreased total protein and increased triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL while decreased the HDL level. Rats treated orally with essential oil of Pimpinella anisum (Anise, 125 &250mg/kg) or Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel, 200 &400kg/b.wt.) for 7 successive weeks and intoxicated with CCL4 showed a significant protection againstinduced increase in serum liver enzyme (AST,ALT, ALP), restored total protein level and ameliorate the increased triglycerides, total, cholesterol, LDL and decreased the HDL. A significant corrective effect of either Anise or fennel oils on biochemical parameters were supported by histopathological examination of the rats. In conclusion, these data indicated that essential oils of Pimpinella anisum (Anise) or Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) possessed a hepatoprotective activity against hepatotoxicity induced by CCL4 induced fibrosis model in rats. |
