Ameliorative Effect of Fennel Oil on Cyclophosphamide Induced Hepatotoxicity in Albino Rats

Cyclophosphamide (CPA) is an alkylating agent widely used as an anticancer and immunosuppressive drug. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) essential oil is a traditional medicine used against many diseases. The present work studied the effect of fennel oil against liver damage induced by the anticancer drug, cyclophosphamide (CPA) in albino rats. Animals were divided into 4 groups: group1: control, group2: orally given fennel oil (1 ml/kg body weight once a week for six weeks), group3: treated with CPA (15 mg/kg body weight once a week for six weeks) and group4: treated with CPA and fennel oil. The liver removed for histological and immunohistochemical preparation. Blood was collected and sera were prepared for biochemical analysis. The results revealed that CPA caused histological alterations in the liver including degeneration of hepatic cells, cytoplasmic vacuolation, fatty infiltration and congestion of blood vessels. Immunohistochemical observations revealed that both cell proliferation marker Ki67 and apoptotic marker caspase-3 were increased. Biochemical results revealed increase in the liver enzymes activity ALT and AST. Treating rats with CPA and fennel oil caused an improvement in the histological structure of the liver and decreased Ki67 and caspase-3. Moreover, ALT and AST activity appeared with normal value. It is concluded that administration of fennel oil exhibited ameliorative effect against CPA-induced hepatic toxicity in albino rats. This effect may be attributed to the antioxidant property of fennel oil