Pimpinella anisum L. (Apiaceae/Umbelliferae)

Abstract

An annual herb, a native of Egypt, but cultivated in Iran, India, Mediterranean region, and Europe. Ibn al-Baitar, quoting Dioscorides, said that the fruits (seeds) are diuretic, carminative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, galactagogue, and aphrodisiac. According to Razi, it is useful in ascites and relieves flatulence and borborygmus, and Avicenna called Anisun deobstruent for kidney, bladder, liver and uterine obstructions, useful in chronic fevers and swelling of face and feet. Ibn Jazlah described Anisun as fennel seeds, with a sweet taste, causes constipation, and is used to prevent obstruction of liver, and as antidote against poisons. Ibn Buţlān used it for cold stomach, against flatulence, and considered it diuretic, to relieve constipation, to increase postpartum milk production, and to improve eyesight. In Unani medicine, the fruits are included in diets of patients suffering from paralysis, facial palsy and epilepsy. Anise water and oil are topically applied to head in headache and to abdomen in flatulence and intestinal colic. Anise was not known to Hindu physicians and was introduced in India by Muslim physicians from Persia. In Iranian traditional medicine, the fruits are used as carminative, aromatic, disinfectant, antimicrobial, galactagogue, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, analgesic and muscle relaxant, and anise oil for treatment of convulsions. In Cayenne and French Guiana, whole plant is used as carminative and vermifuge, while the flowers and seeds decoctions are used for gas pain by Guyana Patamona people. The plant is used for respiratory disorders in Upper Egypt. In addition to anethol-glycol, creosol, anethol, acetaldehyde, isoamylamine, umbelliferone, bergaptene, isopimpinellin, isobergaptene and sphondin, anise seeds (fruit) contain protein, fat, carbohydrate, fiber, and minerals. The flavonoids reported include, quercetin-3-glucoronide, rutin, luteolin 7-glucoside, isoorientin, isovitexin, apigenin 7-glucoside, and a luteolin glycoside. Aqueous and ethanol extracts significantly increased milk production in rats by 68 and 81%, respectively. The weight gain by pups during the study period was correlated with the milk production. Aqueous suspension of powdered seeds (fruit) exhibited significant cytoprotective and antiulcer activities against gastric lesions. In a double-blind RCT of patients with functional dyspepsia, symptoms and quality of life were highly significantly improved after 12-weeks of treatment with anise powder.