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Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the modulating efficacy of
prolonged oral administration of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. essential oil
(FEO) against gamma irradiation-induced biochemical changes in male
rats. Essential oil of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. was orally administrated at
dose level of 250 mg/kg body wt/day for 21 days before irradiation and 7
days post exposure (6.5 Gy single dose). Rats exposed to ionizing radiation
exhibited a potential elevation of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, bilirubin, urea and creatinine
levels, lipid abnormalities, and an increase in tissue lipid peroxidation
(LPO) and metallothioneins (MTs). On the other hand, noticeable DROP in
liver and kidney glutathione content and serum total protein, albumin and
testosterone levels were recorded. Tissue organs displayed some changes in
trace element concentrations, which may be due to the radiation ability to
induce oxidative stress. The data obtained from rats treated with fennel oil
before and after whole body gamma irradiation revealed significant
modulation in the biochemical tested parameters and profound
improvement in the activity of antioxidant status, glutathione and
metallothioneins. The treatment of irradiated rats with fennel oil also
appeared to be effective in minimizing the radiation-induced increase in
lipid peroxidation as well as changes in essential trace elements in some
tissue organs. In addition to its containing many chemical antioxidant
constituents such as polyphenols, fennel was found to contain detectable
concentrations of essential trace elements (Zn, Cu, Fe, Se, Mg, Mn and Ca)
which may be involved in multiple biological processes as constituents of
enzymes system including superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn, Mn, SODs),
oxide reductase, glutathione (GSP, GSH, GST), metallothionein MTs, etc.
Overall, it could be concluded that Foeniculum vulgare Mill. essential oil
exerts beneficial protective role against radiation-induced deleterious
biochemical effects related to many organ functions and deteriorated
antioxidant defense system.