Anti-mutagenic Effects of Fennel Plant (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) Seeds and Pure Anethole: An in vitro Test on Mice

In the present study Willbutrin (bupropion hydrochloride) was employed to induce mutagenic/ carcinogenic features in mice, i.e. undesirable cell division and DNA damage. The repair actions of fennel dry seeds and its extracted bioactive substance anethole supplied to Willbutrin-treatedmice in a dietary regime were investigated. Male Swiss albino mice (25-30gm) orally received Willbutrin dose (0.4 mg/day) for 14 consecutive days showed significant increases in number and types of abnormalities in chromosomes of both somatic and germ cells in comparison to control .In germ cells , this was coincided with several aberration symptoms detected in head and tail of sperms. Chromosome aberrations were significantly declined in wellbutrin-treated -mice group received dry fennel seed diet in comparison to both the untreated control as well as to the single treatment with the Willbutrin substance. In case of pure anethole chromosome aberrations were significantly reduced specially in bone marrow, i.e. somatic cells. It is herein concluded that whole fennel seeds can be introduced as an additive in daily diet to avoid / protect and/or inhibit the initiation and development of certain cancer cells in vivo. In this respect, precise experiments on clinical level need to be carried out. [Esmat A. Hassan, Abdel Aziz K. B., M. E. El-Awadi, and M. R. Hanaa Anti-Mutagenic Effects of Fennel Plant (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) Seeds and Pure Anethole: An In vitro Test on Mice] Nature and Science 2011; 9(12): 21-26]. (ISSN: 1545-0740). http://www.sciencepub.net.