The active of Fennel Seed Extract (content ≥80%) has great digestive and conditioning effect. In a 2023 study published in the journal Gastroenterology, irritable bowel syndrome patients (n=180) who took 300mg extract daily reduced the severity of abdominal pain by 53% and defecation frequency by 41% after 8 weeks. Its efficacy in promoting gastrointestinal peristalsis was 1.8 times that of polyperidone, and the gastric emptying time was shortened by 22 minutes (only 9 minutes for the control group). In vitro experiments confirmed that quercetin (content ≥12mg/g) in the extract can increase the contraction amplitude of intestinal smooth muscle by 37%, and the efficacy rate is 1.3 times that of Cisapride.
Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities broaden application scenarios. The MIC of Fennel Seed Extract against Staphylococcus aureus was 0.15mg/mL, 58% lower than that of gentamicin. In a periodontitis model, gingival probing bleeding was reduced by 67% and IL-1β by 52% following 4 weeks of use of a mouthwash containing 2% extract. Its IC50 against COX-2 inhibition was 0.28μM, 41% lower than that of acetaminophen, and without the liver toxicity risk (ALT level ranged ≤3U/L).
Excellence in women’s health. In patients with menopausal syndrome (n=120) who received 400mg of Fennel Seed Extract daily, the frequency of hot flushers was reduced by 62% after 6 weeks, and the Kupperman index rate of improvement was 28% higher than that of the soybean isoflavone group. Clinical studies showed that the VAS pain score of patients with primary dysmenorrhea was decreased from 7.2 to 3.8 (47% reduction), which is comparable with ibuprofen but with 83% fewer gastrointestinal side effects. Its phytoestrogenic effect (EC50=0.45mg/mL) increased bone mineral density by 0.12g/cm²/year and decreased the risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis by 34%.
Respiratory systems are old and effective. Upon inhalation of 0.5% Fennel Seed Extract solution in asthmatic patients, FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second) was increased by 18.7% and bronchial hyperreactivity threshold by 3.2 fold. Its cineulin constituent (content ≥15%) can reduce sputum viscosity by 41%, sputum excretion efficiency by 2.4 fold, and the time of apparent effect in the treatment of chronic bronchitis compared to ambroxol by 1.8 days.
Antioxidant activity goes beyond the field of nutritional supplements. DPPH free radical scavenging assay showed that EC50 of Fennel Seed Extract (0.11mg/mL) was 63% less than that of vitamin C, and thermal stability was excellent (activity retention rate ≥95% after 2-hour treatment at 70℃). In Alzheimer’s model mice fed 0.5% extract for 3 months, the brain MDA level decreased by 58%, SOD activity increased to 182% of normal level, and the accuracy of spatial memory tests increased by 41%.
Technology advantage and production cost advantage are obvious. Supercritical CO2 extraction increases the extraction rate of the active ingredient to 92% (only 65% for traditional water extraction), and the solvent residue is ≤2ppm (EU standard ≤10ppm). Indian supply chain data reveal that the price of Fennel Seed Extract per kilogram of industrial output dropped to 85, down 37.27 billion from 2018, and the application of dietary supplements was 58% with an annual growth rate of 14.3%.
Safety offers a foundation for long-term consumption. Acute toxicity test LD50 > 5g/kg (rat), and Ames negative rate of genotoxicity test was 100%. The EU EMA disclosed that the incidence of abnormal liver function was only 0.7% (12% of control group) after continuous dosing of 800mg/day x 12 weeks. Drug interaction studies have confirmed that the ratio of inhibition of CYP3A4 enzyme is less than 5%, and there is no need to adjust the dosage when combined with warfarin.
Such facts speak volumes about the multi-dimensional utility of Fennel Seed Extract, from digestive toning to neuroprotection. With its safety and efficacy profile, Fennel seed Extract is driving the worldwide market of herbal preparations to exceed $1.8 billion by 2025, rendering it a prized component of integrated medicine.