FRUITS-definition

* Definition: • The developed and ripened ovary or ovaries of a single flower or a group of flowers. • In false fruits, other floral parts are included with gynaecium. FRUITS-function

• Functions: • 1- Protection of seeds. • 2- Ensures the distribution of seeds. • 3- Nourishment of seeds. The Members of Family Umbelliferae • • Ammi majus • Anise • Caraway • Conium • Cumin • Coriander • Dill • Ammi visnaga • Celery Fennel

1- Origin: Foeniculum vulgare. 2- Pleasant odour and taste. It contains volatile oil, fixed oil, protein and flavonoids. The major components of the v. oil are: A- Fenchone (bicyclic monoterpene ketone). B- Anethole (phenolic ether derivative).

Fennel-constituents

6- It contains volatile oil, fixed oil, protein and flavonoids. 7- The major components of the v. oil are: A- Fenchone (bicyclic monoterpene ketone). B- Anethole (phenolic ether derivative). Terpenes

• Hemiterpene: C5 X 1= C5 • Monoterpene: C5 X 2= C10 • Sesquiterpene: C5 X 3= C15 • Diterpene: C5 X 4= C20 • Sesterterpene: C5 X 5= C25 • Triterpene: C5 X 6= C30

Anethole & Fenchone

OCH3 O

Anethole: distinctive odour & taste. Fenchone: pungent odour & bitter taste. Fennel Varieties

Bitter Fennel: Sweet Fennel: • F. vulgare var. • F. vulgare var. vulgare. dulce. • V. oil: 2-6%. • V. oil: 2-3 %. • t-anethole: 60- • t-anethole: 75- 75 %. 95 %. • Fenchone: 12- • Fenchone: 1-8 %. 30 %.

Fennel-uses

8- Fennel is used as carminative, flavouring agent and expectorant. 9- Unproven folk-uses: In India, used as diaphoretic, emmenagogue, to increase the milk secretion and with wool as insect repellent. Antihypertensive action of Fennel ! • Oral administration of Foeniculum extract lowered the systolic blood pressure of hypertensive rats but not of normotensive. In HR, Foeniculum treatment increased water, sodium and potassium excretion (diuretic effect).* * Clin Exp Hypertens 2001 May;23(4):329-43

Antioxidant Effect of Fennel

• The oil showed potent antioxidant activity comparable to that of alpha- tocopherol as well as a potent antimicrobial effects.* * Planta Med 2000 Dec;66(8):687-93

Carminatives

• Carminatives are used for expulsion of gases from stomach by eructation and to relief flatulence of intestine. • Mechanism of Carminatives Small bubbles Big bubbles Relaxation of cardiac sphincter Eructation

Contraindications

• Anyone with an estrogen- dependent cancer (e.g., some breast cancer patients) should avoid fennel in large quantities until the significance of its estrogen-like activity is clarified.

Anise (Aniseed)

1- Pimpinella anisum. 2- It has a hairy surface. Anethole is the major constituent of aniseed oil (90% of the oil). Anise-uses 1- Carminative and flavouring agent. 2- Other uses: A- The oil is effective in treatment of head-lice (research, 1996). B- Some folk uses: lactagogue, expectorant, to facilitate birth (unproven effects).

Anise Phytoestrogens

• chemicals that may function as estrogen agonist or antagonist when taken by humans. • Environmental estrogens (xenoestrogens) • Compounds of industrial origin having estrogenic effects. • They may cause estrogen-dependent cancer, declining sperm counts and fertility problems. • Ex: DDT, Phthalates (in plastics), alkylphenols [in detergents], Bisphenol A [for coating food cans], Most common phytoestrogens

• Isoflavonoids [Lupinus termis, strong]. • Beet [weak], sunflower [weak], Barley [strong], Clover and Alfalfa [moderate], Soybean [moderate] and Garlic [strong]. • What are the benefits of Phytoestrogens ? • Low rates of the following diseases: • Breast, endometrial, prostate and colon cancers. • Coronary heart diseases and menopausal symptoms. Effect of phytoestrogens on the bone • The postmenopausal women with high daily phytoestrogen intake [average 2 mg/day] experienced significantly higher Bone Mineral Density (BMD) when compared the women with low daily phytoestrogen intake

The difference between xeno- and phytoestrogens • Xenoestrogens accumulate in the adipose tissue and persist in the body for years. • Phytoestrogens readily metabolized and spend relatively little time in the body. • The timing, repeated and levels of exposure of phytoestrogens determine their seriousness and safety !!. Adverse Effects & Interactions of Anise 1- Oesophagal and larynx cancer were observed in drinkers of Anise spirits (research 1987, 1997). 2- It promotes the absorption of iron from GIT (res. 1990). Adulterants of Anise

Conium fruits (Hemlock) and Henbane seeds are the major adulterants of Anise. Conium (Hemlock)

• The dried full-grown unripe fruits of . • Remember: 1- G.S.: Europe and Britain. 2- It has no aromatic odour and the taste is bitter.

Conium (Hemlock)

It contains liquid volatile (coniine, g-coniceine, conhydrine, pseudoconhydrine, N- methylconiine). Very toxic, medullary depressant in treatment of convulsive diseases as epilepsy, tetanus, whooping cough. It gives mouse like odour with KOH Ammi visnaga 1- Egyptian plant. 2- Greyish-brown with a violet tinge. 3- Bitter taste. The major constituents are khellin and visnagin (furanochromones).

Furanochromones

O

O O Furan O Benzo-g-pyrone

Furanochromone O O Ammi visnaga

The powder gives red colour with KOH (due to chromones). Uses: • Treatment of angina pectoris attacks. • Treatment of bronchial asthma attacks. • To facilitate the passage of renal calculi from the ureters. • Coronary vasodilator Contraindications of A. visnaga

1- May cause photodermatitis in sensitive individuals. 2- Pregnancy due to emmenagogue and uterine stimulating activity of khellin.

Ammi majus

1- Egyptian plant. 2- Odourless with pungent taste. It contains furanocoumarins (majudin and bergapten

O O O Furan Benzo--pyrone

O O O

Furanocoumarin Ammi majus

9- Coumarins don’t give red colour with alkali. 10- It’s used in treatment of leukoderma (vitiligo). • A disorder of skin pigmentation characterized by widening areas of depigmented skin. • It’s associated with local destruction of melanocytes (cells that produce melanin to darken the skin).

Vitiligo

• A disorder of skin pigmentation characterized by widening areas of depigmented skin. • It’s associated with local destruction of melanocytes (cells that produce melanin to darken the skin). • It affects 1-4% of the world’s population. Causes of Vitiligo There are theories suggesting autoimmune link, hormonal connection, genetic tendencies, etc. Vitiligo-treatment

1- By vitamins (C, B12, folic acid…etc) for 2-3 years. 2- By L-phenylalanine together with UV light. 3- By herbs to increase the sensitivity of the remaining pigment containing cells to sunlight. Coriander 1- Dried nearly ripe fruits of Coriandrum sativum. 2- Two hemispherical mericarps. It has aromatic odour and taste A mat-shape fusiform sclereides are present in the mesocarp (longitudinal and tangential directions). 3- Linalool or coriandrol (acyclic monoterpene alcohol) and linalyl acetate are the major components of the v.o. 4- Carminative, spicy and in cosmetics (perfumes and soap).

Coriander Caraway

1- Ripe fruits of Carum carvi. 2- It came into use in Europe in the 13th century. 3- The mericarps are curved. Carvone, dihydrocarvone and carveol are the major constituents of the v.o. 8- Used as carminative and antispasmodic for infants.

Caraway Unproven folk uses: 1- Lactagogue. 2- To induce menstruation. 3- For treatment of sore throat. 4- For treatment of apetite loss. Dill

1- Ripe fruits of Anethum graveolens. 2- The two ventral primary ridges are extended to form wings. 5- Carvone is the major constituent of the oil. 6- Similar to Caraway in uses.

Cummin 1- Cuminum cyminum. 2- It has a hairy surface. The hairs (shaggy hairs) are concentrated in the depressions between primary and secondary ridges, they are multicellular and multiseriate. Cuminaldehyde is the major component of the v.o. 8- Used as carminative and spicy

Cummin

* Unproven folk-uses: Lactagogue & antiinflammatory. * Cumin interactions: 1- It prolongs the action ofbarbit- urates such as phenobarbital. 2- In certain cultures, used as abortifacient !.

Celery (Apium) 1- Apium graveolens. 2- Contains sedanonic acid anhydride as a major component of the oil. 3- It contains coumarins, furanocoumarins and apiin flavonoid. 4- Used as a sedative and for rheumatic diseases.

New Reports on Apium • Mosquitocidal, nematicidal, and antifungal compounds (sedanolide, senkyunolide-N, and senkyunolide- J ) have been reported [res., 2001]. • It is used in India for the treatment of liver ailments. The antihepatotoxic effect of the methanolic extract was studied on rat liver damage induced by a single dose of paracetamol (3 g/kg p.o.) [res., 1995].

Remember !

1- Hairy Umbelliferous fruits: Anise & Cumin. 2-CNS depressant . fruits: Conium & Apium. 3- Carminative Umb. fruits: Fennel, Anise, Coriander, Caraway, Dill & Cumin. 4-Non-carminative Umb. fruits: A. visnaga, A. majus, Conium & Apium. 5- Umb. fruits containing v.o.: Fennel, Anise, Coriander, Cumin, Caraway & Apium. 6- Furanochromones in A. visnaga. 7- Furanocoumarins in A. majus & Apium.

8- Anethole & fenchone: Anise & Fennel. 9- Linalool: Coriander and Cumin aldehyde: Cumin. 10- Carvone: Caraway & Dill. 11- Liquid volatile piperidine alkaloids: Conium. 12-Red colour with KOH: A. visnaga. 13- Mouse odour with KOH: Conium.