Volume : 13, Issue : 09, September – 2026

Title:

PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF FOENICULUM VULGARE STEMS IN ALBINO RATS

Authors :

Ch Ramya*, Sasanam Neeraja, Md.Asma, Bollempally Pavani, W Om Rao

Abstract :

The present study evaluated the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities of the ethanolic stem extract (EEFV) of Foeniculum vulgare against Paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced by administering Paracetamol (3 g/kg, p.o.) for 14 days. Animals were divided into five groups: normal control, toxic control, standard (Silymarin 100 mg/kg), and two test groups receiving EEFV at 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively, one hour after Paracetamol administration.
Paracetamol treatment significantly elevated serum AST, ALT, ALP, and total bilirubin levels while reducing total protein and albumin, along with loss of body weight and increased liver weight, confirming severe liver damage. In addition, Paracetamol induced marked oxidative stress, evidenced by significant reductions in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, accompanied by a significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation. Treatment with Silymarin markedly restored these altered biochemical and antioxidant parameters toward normal values.
EEFV treatment produced dose-dependent hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects. Both doses significantly reduced serum liver marker enzymes and bilirubin levels while improving total protein and albumin concentrations. Furthermore, EEFV significantly increased SOD, CAT, and GSH levels and decreased MDA levels compared with the toxic control group, indicating enhancement of the endogenous antioxidant defense system and protection against oxidative liver damage. The higher dose (500 mg/kg) showed effects comparable to the standard drug Silymarin. Histopathological observations supported the biochemical findings by demonstrating restoration of normal hepatic architecture and reduced cellular degeneration in the treated groups.
The study concludes that the ethanolic stem extract of Foeniculum vulgare possesses significant hepatoprotective and antioxidant activities against Paracetamol-induced liver injury. The protective effects may be attributed to its antioxidant phytoconstituents, which scavenge free radicals, inhibit lipid peroxidation, and stabilize hepatocellular membranes. Therefore, Foeniculum vulgare may serve as a promising natural therapeutic agent for the prevention and management of liver disorders associated with oxidative stress.
Keywords: Foeniculum vulgare, hepatoprotective activity, Paracetamol-induced, Silymarin

Cite This Article:

Please cite this article in press Ch Ramya et al., Pharmacological Evaluation Of Hepatoprotective Activity Of Ethanolic Extract Of Foeniculum Vulgare Stems In Albino Rats.,. Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2026; 13(09).

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