ANTI-PSYCHOTIC POTENTIAL OF FOENICULUM VULGARE IN RODENTS

Abstract

Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel), generally known as Saunf belonging to Apiacae family is one of the most popular and widely used medicinal plants in traditional medicine. Fennel contains volatile compounds, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and amino acids. There is no documented report on utility of Fennel in psychiatric disorders in literature. Therefore, this study was undertaken to explore anti-psychotic potential of Fennel using Ketamine- induced stereotypic behaviour in mice, pole climbing avoidance in rats and swim induced grooming in mice. Fennel, when administered orally to rodents in two different concentrations of 500mg/kg and 1000mg/kg for 21 days, inhibited Ketamine -induced stereotypic behaviour, reduced swim -induced grooming behaviour and decreased pole - climb avoidance behaviour. In our biochemical estimations both, brain dopamine level and acetyl cholinesterase activity were significantly reduced by Fennel whereas, brain glutathione levels were remarkably increased by Fennel. These findings taken together reveal anti-psychotic potential of Fennel.