title: Nitrites derived from Foneiculum vulgare (fennel) seeds promotes vascular functions.
abstract: Recent evidence has demonstrated that nitrites play an important role in the cardiovascular system. Fennel (Foneiculum vulgare) seeds are often used as mouth fresheners after a meal in both the Indian sub-continent and around the world. The present study aims to quantify the nitrite and nitrates in fennel seeds as well as elucidating the effect of fennel derived-nitrites on vascular functions. Results from our study show that fennel seeds contain significantly higher amount of nitrites when compared to other commonly used post-meal seeds. Furthermore our study confirmed the functional effects of fennel derived-nitrites using in vitro and ex vivo models that describe the promotion of angiogenesis, cell migration, and vasorelaxation. We also showed that chewing fennel seeds enhanced nitrite content of saliva. Thus our study indicates the potential role of fennel derived-nitrites on the vascular system.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Biology Lab, AU-KBC Research Centre, Anna Univ., MIT Campus, Chennai, India.
authors.forename: Akila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Swaminathan
authors.forename: Sree Rama Chaitanya
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Sridhara
authors.forename: Swaraj
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Shunmugam
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagarajan
authors.forename: Uma Maheswari
authors.initials: UM
authors.lastname: Balaguru
authors.forename: Jamila H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Siamwala
authors.forename: Saranya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajendran
authors.forename: Uttara
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Saran
authors.forename: Suvro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
mesh_terms: D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002460:Cell Line; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects; D030001:Foeniculum / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis; D009573:Nitrites / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D017365:Spices / Q000032:analysis; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D010936:Plant Extracts