The effect of Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel) hydroalcoholic extract on serum lipid profiles and liver enzymes in male rats fed a high cholesterol regimen

Background and Objective: Currently, hyperlipidemia is a major health-threatening factor in developed and developing countries. Hyperlipidemia induced by high cholesterol (HC) diet rapidly increases the risk of cardiovascular and liver diseases. F. vulgare is used in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments and has hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic and cardiovascular activities. This study was done to evaluate the effect of F. vulgare hydroalcoholic extract on serum lipid profiles and liver enzymes in adult Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 28 male rats (190-220 g) were divided into four different groups including: Control, HC diet, Control plus Fennel extract, and Fennel extract-treated high cholesterol-fed groups. Rats were fed a high-cholesterol diet (HC group) or normal rat chow (control group) for 8 weeks. The extract was administered at a dose of 150 mg/kg, once daily for 3 weeks. The blood samples were collected from retroorbital sinus. Then, the measurements of serum biochemical parameters were performed. The data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA test. Results: Our study showed that the levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, LDL, LDH, ALT, and ALP significantly increase in HC group and the level of HDL in HC group significantly decreases by HC diet compared to control group (p<0.001) after 8 weeks. The levels of TG, total cholesterol, LDL, LDH, ALT, and ALP significantly reduced by treatment with fennel extract and the level of HDL in fennel extract-treated HC-fed group was significantly higher compared to HC group (p<0.001). Conclusion: The results from the present research showed hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of F. vulgare that leads to protection of the liver and cardiovascular system from high cholesterol damage in rats.