PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND SPASMOLYTIC ACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OIL OF FENNEL (FOENICULUM VULGARE LINN.) FROM RAJASTHAN

Saini N
Department of Pharmacognosy, Lachoo Memorial College of Sci. and Tech., Pharmacy wing, Jodhpur (Rajasthan), India.
Singh GK
Department of Pharmacognosy, Lachoo Memorial College of Sci. and Tech., Pharmacy wing, Jodhpur (Rajasthan), India.
Nagori BP
Director, Lachoo Memorial College of Sci. and Tech. Pharmacy wing, Jodhpur (Rajasthan), India.

Essential oil ,Physicochemical characterization ,GC ,TLC ,Saunf ,Hydro distillation ,Spasmolytic ,Guinea pig Ileum ,

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Linn.) from Rajasthan locally known as ‘saunf’ is a flowering plant in the family Umbelliferae. Fennel is known for its flavour and antioxidant properties. Fennel also act as preservative, provides nutritional and health benefits. The essential oil of Foeniculum vulgare Linn. fruit was obtained from mature fruits, extracted through hydro distillation for 4-5 hr in clevenger apparatus. The most important chemical component of fennel fruits is essential oil content, ranging from 1.5% to 2.5% which is pale to colourless depending on age and regional variations. Physical characteristics and spasmolytic activity were recorded according to standard procedures. Chemical composition of essential oil of Foeniculum vulgare Linn. was analyzed by Gas-liquid chromatography and Thin layer chromatography. The present study results revealed that essential oil of Foeniculum vulgare Linn. (Fam. Umbelliferae) physicochemical characterization and promising antispasmodic action on excised guinea pig ileum.

4 , 2 , 2014