Fructus Anethi , Herbal Medicine

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Definition

Fructus Anethi consists of the dried ripe fruits of Anethum graveolens L.

(Apiaceae) (1, 2).

Synonyms

Pastinaca anethum Spreng., Peucedanum graveolens Benth. & Hook.,

Selinum anethum Roth (1, 3). Apiaceae are also known as Umbelliferae.

Selected vernacular names

Aneth, anethum, bo-baluntshep, dill, Dill-Fenchel, eneldo, faux anis

aneth, fenouil batard, fenouil puant, garden dill, Gartendill, hinan, inondo,

jirashi, kapor, kerwiya amya, koper, sadapa, sadhab el barr, satakuppa,

satakuppi, sathukuppa, satpushpa, shabat, shabath, shatapuspi, shebet,

shebid, sheved, shevid, shi ra ja, shibth, sibt, slulpha, soolpha, sova, sowa,

s-sebt, suva, sulpha, sutopsha, thian ta takkataen, zira (1, 4–9).

Geographical distribution

Indigenous to southern Europe. Cultivated widely throughout the world

Description

An aromatic annual or biennial herb, 40–120 cm high, with an erect hollow

green stem, branching above. Leaves glaucous, tripinnate, with linear

leafl ets. Infl orescence umbellate with 15–30 rays; bracts and bracteoles

absent; fl owers yellow. Fruits deep brown, fl attened, oval, with protruding

clear back ribs with sharp edges .

Plant material of interest: dried ripe fruits

General appearance

Mericarps separate, broadly oval, chocolate-brown, each dorsally compressed,

3–4 mm long, 2–3 mm wide and 1 mm thick, the ratio of length to width being approximately 1.6:1.0; two ventral ridges prolonged into

wide yellowish membranous wings; three dorsal ridges, brown, inconspicuous.

Transversely cut surface of the fruit surface shows six vittae,

four in the dorsal and two in the commissural side; fi ve vascular bundles,

three in the ridges and two in the wings, those in the wings being wider

than those in the ridges .

Organoleptic properties

Odour: characteristic, aromatic; taste: characteristic, pleasant .

Microscopic characteristics

Mericarp has four vittae in the dorsal and two in the commissural side.

Outer epidermis has a striated cuticle. Mesocarp contains lignifi ed, reticulate

parenchyma. Inner epidermis composed of tabular cells frequently

with wavy walls, tabular cells all parallel (e.g. parquet arrangement).

Thick-walled parenchyma of the endosperm contains fi xed oil, aleurone

grains and microrosette crystals of calcium oxalate (1, 4, 14, 15).

Powdered plant material

Greyish-brown powder characterized by fragments of pericarp with a

few brownish pieces of vittae. Outer epidermis has striated cuticle. Mesocarp

fragments show lignifi ed reticulate parenchyma, inner epidermis,

tabular cells frequently wavy walled, numerous fragments of endosperm;

aleurone grains, fi xed oil and microrosette crystals of calcium oxalate (1).

General identity tests

Macroscopic and microscopic examinations (1, 2), and thin-layer chromatography

(2).

Purity tests

Microbiological

Tests for specifi c microorganisms and microbial contamination limits are

as described in the WHO guidelines on quality control methods for medicinal

plants (16).

Chemical

Not less than 3.0% essential oil (2).

Foreign organic matter

Not more than 2.0% (1).

Total ash

Not more than 11.0% (1).

Acid-insoluble ash

Not more than 1.5% (2).

Water-soluble extractive

Not less than 15.0% (2).

Alcohol-soluble extractive

Not less than 4.0% (2).

Pesticide residues

The recommended maximum limit of aldrin and dieldrin is not more than

0.05 mg/kg (17). For other pesticides, see the European pharmacopoeia

(17), and the WHO guidelines on quality control methods for medicinal

plants (16) and pesticide residues (18).

Heavy metals

For maximum limits and analysis of heavy metals, consult the WHO

guidelines on quality control methods for medicinal plants (16).

Radioactive residues

Where applicable, consult the WHO guidelines on quality control methods

for medicinal plants (16) for the analysis of radioactive isotopes.

Other purity tests

Loss on drying test to be established in accordance with national requirements.

Chemical assays

Contains not less than 2.0% essential oil (1). Gas chromatography (19)

and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (20) methods for essential

oil constituents are also available.

Medicinal uses

Uses supported by clinical data

None.

Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established documents

Treatment of dyspepsia (25), gastritis and fl atulence (1, 26), and stomach

ache (27).

Uses described in traditional medicine

As an aphrodisiac, analgesic, antipyretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, galactagogue,

appetite stimulant and vaginal contraceptive. Treatment of diarrhoea,

asthma, neuralgia, dysuria, dysmenorrhoea, gallbladder disease,

insomnia, hiatus hernia and kidney stones (9, 26–29).

Pharmacology

Experimental pharmacology

Antispasmodic and carminative activities

A 50% ethanol extract of Fructus Anethi inhibited acetylcholine- and histamine-

induced contractions of guinea-pig ileum in vitro (30). The essential

oil, 50 mg/ml, reduced contractions of rabbit intestine (31). The essential

oil (containing the monoterpenes and phenylpropanes: dillapiol,

myristicin and isomyristicin) (concentration not specifi ed) acted as a mild

carminative and stomachic (32). The essential oil had carminative activity

and reduced foaming in vitro, median effective concentration 2.0% (33).

Miscellaneous effects

Intravenous administration of 12.5 mg/kg bw of a 70% dried ethanol extract

of the fruits, dissolved in normal saline, to dogs had a diuretic effect,

with a 2.2-fold increase in urine output. Intravenous administration of

25.0 mg/kg bw of a 70% ethanol extract to dogs reduced blood pressure.

Intravenous administration of 4.0 μl/kg bw of the essential oil induced

diuresis in dogs lasting 80 minutes, with increased sodium and calcium ion

excretion (36). Intravenous administration of 5.0–10.0 mg/kg bw of a 5%

seed oil in saline to cats increased respiration volume and lowered blood

pressure; intraperitoneal administration of 35.0 mg/kg bw of the seed oil

to guinea-pigs induced anaphylactic shock (11). A single intragastric dose

of 250.0 mg/kg bw of a 50% ethanol extract of the fruits to fasted rats reduced

blood glucose levels by 30% compared with controls (30).

Toxicology

In a report by a national regulatory authority “generally regarded as safe

status” was granted to Fructus Anethi as a fl avouring agent in 1976 (37).

Clinical pharmacology

No information available.

Adverse reactions

Allergic reactions to Fructus Anethi including oral pruritus, tongue and

throat swelling and urticaria, as well as vomiting and diarrhoea were reported

in one patient with a history of allergic rhinitis (38).

Contraindications

Traditionally, extracts of fruits (seeds) have been used as a contraceptive

and to induce labour (4). Furthermore, extracts of the fruits may have

teratogenic effects (39). Therefore, the use of Fructus Anethi during pregnancy

and nursing is not recommended.

Warnings

No information available.

Fructus Anethi

38

WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants

Precautions

Carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, impairment of fertility

A chloroform–methanol (2:1) extract of the fruits was not mutagenic in

concentrations up to 100.0 mg/plate in the Salmonella/microsome assay

using S. typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100, with or without metabolic

activation. A 95% ethanol extract was also without mutagenic activity

in the same test system (40).

An essential oil prepared from the fruits was cytotoxic to human lymphocytes

in vitro, and was active in the chromosome aberration and sister

chromatid exchange tests in the same system. The oil was inactive in the

Drosophila melanogaster somatic mutation and recombination test in vivo

(41).

Pregnancy: non-teratogenic effects

See Contraindications.

Nursing mothers

See Contraindications.

Other precautions

No information available on general precautions or precautions concerning

drug interactions; drug and laboratory test interactions; teratogenic

effects during pregnancy; or paediatric use.

Dosage forms

Dried fruits for teas, essential oil and other galenical preparations for internal

applications. Store in a tightly sealed container away from heat and

light.

Posology

(Unless otherwise indicated)

Average daily dose: Fructus Anethi 3 g; essential oil 0.1–0.3 g; or equivalent

for other preparations (25).

References

1. African pharmacopoeia. Vol. 1. Lagos, Organization of African Unity, Scientifi

c, Technical and Research Commission, 1985.

2. The Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India. Part I. Vol. II. New Delhi, Ministry

of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Indian System of Medicine

and Homeopathy, 1999.

39

3. Issa A. Dictionnaire des noms des plantes en latin, français, anglais et arabe.

[Dictionary of plant names in Latin, French, English and Arabic.] Beirut,

Dar al-Raed al-Arabi, 1991.

4. Trease GE. A text-book of pharmacognosy, 3rd ed. Baltimore, MD, Williams

and Wilkins, 1939.

5. Youngken HW. Textbook of pharmacognosy, 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA,

Blakiston, 1950.

6. Zahedi E. Botanical dictionary. Scientifi c names of plants in English, French,

German, Arabic and Persian languages. Tehran, Tehran University Publications,

1959.

7. Schlimmer JL. Terminologie médico-pharmaceutique et française-persane,

2nd ed. [French-Persian medico-pharmaceutical terminology, 2nd ed.]

Tehran, University of Tehran Publications, 1979.

8. Namba T. The encyclopedia of Wakan-Yaku (Traditional Sino-Japanese

medicines) with color pictures. Vol. II. Tokyo, Hoikusha Publishing, 1994.

9. Farnsworth NR, ed. NAPRALERT database. Chicago, IL, University of

Illinois at Chicago, 10 January 2001 production (an online database available

directly through the University of Illinois at Chicago or through the

Scientifi c and Technical Network (STN) of Chemical Abstracts

Services).

10. Wren RC. Potter’s new cyclopedia of botanical drugs and preparations. Saffron

Walden, CW Daniel, 1988.

11. Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of common natural ingredients used in

food, drugs and cosmetics. New York, NY, John Wiley and Sons, 1996.

12. Launert E. Edible and medicinal plants of Britain and Northern Europe.

London, Hamlyn Publishing Group, 1989.

13. Physician’s desk reference for herbal medicine. Montvale, NJ, Medical

Economics Co., 1998.

14. Saber AH. Practical pharmacognosy, 2nd ed. Cairo, Al-Etemad Press, 1946.

15. Wallis TE. Textbook of pharmacognosy, 4th ed. London, J & A Churchill,

1960.

16. Quality control methods for medicinal plant materials. Geneva, World Health

Organization, 1998.

17. European pharmacopoeia, 3rd ed. Strasbourg, Council of Europe, 1996.

18. Guidelines for predicting dietary intake of pesticide residues, 2nd rev. ed.

Geneva, World Health Organization, 1997 (WHO/FSF/FOS/97.7; available

from Food Safety, World Health Organization, 1211 Geneva 27, Switzerland).

19. Pino JA et al. Evaluation of fl avor characteristic compounds in dill herb

essential oil by sensory analysis and gas chromatography. Journal of Agricultural

and Food Chemistry, 1995, 43:1307–1309.

20. Mahran GH et al. GC/MS analysis of volatile oil of fruits of Anethum

graveolens. International Journal of Pharmacognosy, 1992, 30:139–144.

21. Rao BS, Sudborough JJ, Watson HE. Notes on some Indian essential oils.

Journal of the Indian Institute of Science, Series A, 1925, 8:143–188.

Fructus Anethi

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22. Hodisan V, Pepescu H, Fagarasan E. [Studies on Anethum graveolens. I. II.

Chemical composition of essential oil from fruits.] Contributii Botanice,

Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Cluj-Napoca [Botanical Contributions, Babes-

Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca], 1980, 1980:263–266 [in Romanian].

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alapjai. [Pharmacognosy – basic elements of phytotherapy.] Budapest,

Sanitas, 1992.

24. Khafagy SM, Mnajed HK. Phytochemical investigation of the fruit of

Egyptian Anethum graveolens. I. Examination of the volatile oil and isolation

of dillapiole. Acta Pharmaceutica Suecica, 1968, 5:155–162.

25. Blumenthal M et al., eds. The complete German Commission E monographs.

Austin, TX, American Botanical Council, 1998.

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Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, 1971, 54:490–504.

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lactation-stimulating activity (galactagogues) in Central Europe.] Gleditschia,

1989, 17:189–201.

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Effect on the smooth musculature.] Veterinarno-Meditsinski Nauki, 1968,

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34. Okuyama T et al. Studies on cancer bio-chemoprevention of natural

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additives. Nutrition and Cancer, 1979, 1:10–15.

41. Lazutka JR et al. Genotoxicity of dill (Anethum graveolens L.), peppermint

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