title: The Effect of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Foeniculum vulgare Mill on Leukocytes and Hematological Tests in Male Rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medicinal plants have a long history in treating blood disorders, which is one of the most common problems in today's advanced world. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a medicinal plant with a high content of polyphenols and has antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of fennel on some hematological indices in male rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experimental study, thirty male Wistar rats were divided into six groups (five rats in each group). The first group (control) did not receive any dose; the second group (sham) received 1 mL normal saline (extraction solvent); and the experimental groups 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively received 1 mL hydro alcoholic extract of fennel in four doses of 250, 500, 750 and 1000 mg/kg of body weight every 48 hours for 30 days by gavage. One day after the last gavage following induction of anesthesia and taking blood from the heart of rats, measurement of red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit and tests of bleeding and coagulation time (CT) were performed. The data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA test using SPSS15 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fennel increased mean RBC (7.54 ± 0.53 × 106) and WBC (5.89 ± 0.78 × 103) values, especially at a dose of 250 mg/mL and CT (2.45 ± 0.20) at a dose of 500mg/mL compared to the control group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fennel increased red and white blood cells probably due to the presence of polyphenols and antioxidant activity of fennel and reduced negative effects of free radicals on blood cells.
authors: Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Esrafil
authors: E
authors: Mansouri
authors: Department of Laboratory Sciences, Student Research Committee, School of Paramedicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Wesam
authors: W
authors: Kooti
authors: Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Bazvand
authors: Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Ghasemi Boroon
authors: Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Ashraf
authors: A
authors: Amirzargar
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Reza
authors: R
authors: Afrisham
authors: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Mohammad Reza
authors: MR
authors: Afzalzadeh
authors: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Damoon
authors: D
authors: Ashtary-Larky
authors: Department of Laboratory Sciences, Student Research Committee, School of Paramedicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Nasrin
authors: N
authors: Jalali
keywords: Foeniculum vulgare mill; Hematological Tests; Rats