EVALUATION OF ANTIUROLITHIATIC PROPERTY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF FENNEL SEEDS IN MALE WISTAR ALBINO RATS

Abstract

Objective: Few studies have explored the diuretic property of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antiurolithiatic property of ethanolic extract of fennel seeds in male Wistar albino rats.Methods: Prophylactic and curative urolithiasis models were used with 5 groups of 6 rats in each model. Ethanolic extract of fennel seeds in three doses 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg was used. Cystone 750 mg/kg was used as a standard drug. All drugs were administered orally. Zinc discs were surgically implanted in the bladder in all rats. After recovery, rats in the prophylactic model received three different doses of ethanolic extract of fennel seeds along with 1% ethylene glycol for 2 weeks whereas the rats in the other model received 1% ethylene glycol for 2 weeks followed by an ethanolic extract of fennel seeds in three doses for the next 2 weeks. Both models had a control group receiving 1% ethylene glycol. At the end of study period, rats were sacrificed and vesical calculi collected, weighed, and statistically evaluated using one-way ANOVA.Results: In both the models, all three doses of an extract of fennel seeds were effective in reducing stone formation as compared to control group with p<0.05. In both the models, all three test doses were comparable with cystone, but 300 mg/kg extract in prophylactic showed significance (p <0.05) when compared to standard.Conclusion: Fennel seeds can be used prophylactically as well as curatively in the treatment of urolithiasis. However, further studies and clinical trials are warranted to explore this property.