X-Message-Number: 32583
Date: Tue, 11 May 2010 18:57:27 -0700 (PDT)
From:
Subject: cumin: potential life-extension "drug" for the poor
[It is an interesting fact that since 2002, the spice cumin has been known to be
superior to glibenclamide in the treatment of diabetic complications. If cumin
were a prescription drug, it would undoubtedly have been extensively advertised
as a superior diabetes drug treatment. As a series of minor side benefits, this
spice also exerts state-of-the-art anti-cancer, anti-cholesterol, and
anti-osteoporosis effects. Cumin is available at your local supermarket at a
price rather lower than that of most prescription drugs.]
[ Gosh, I wish I could patent this stuff! ]
Food Chem Toxicol. 2010 May 5. [Epub ahead of print]
Antihyperglycemic activity and inhibition of advanced glycation end product
formation by Cuminum cyminum in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
Jagtap AG, Patil PB. Department of Pharmacology, Bombay College of Pharmacy,
Kalina, Santacruz (East), Mumbai- 400068, Maharashtra, India.
Abstract
Cuminum cyminum is widely used as a spice in many countries. The aim of the
present study was to investigate the effect of methanolic extract of seeds
of Cuminum cyminum (CC) on diabetes, oxidative stress and formation of
advanced glycated end products (AGE) and obtain comparison with
glibenclamide. In vitro studies indicated that CC inhibited free radicals
and AGE formation. Treatment of streptozotocin diabetic rats with CC and
glibenclamide for 28 days caused a reduction in blood glucose, glycosylated
hemoglobin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and improved serum insulin and
glycogen (liver and skeletal muscle) content when compared to diabetic
control rats. Significant reduction in renal oxidative stress and AGE was
observed with CC when compared to diabetic control and glibenclamide. CC and
glibenclamide improved antioxidant status in kidney and pancreas of
diabetic rats. Diabetic rats showed increase in rat tail tendon collagen,
glycated collagen, collagen linked fluorescence and reduction in pepsin
digestion. Treatment with CC significantly improved these parameters when
compared to diabetic control and glibenclamide group. Though the
antidiabetic effect of CC was comparable to glibenclamide it had better
effect in controlling oxidative stress and inhibiting the AGE formation,
which are implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular
complications. Copyright C 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
PMID: 20451573
[The gold standard for osteoporosis treatment is...]
Snip>
"The osteoprotective effect was comparable with estradiol."
l Med (Maywood). 2008 Nov;233(11):1403-10. Epub 2008 Sep 29.
Methanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum inhibits ovariectomy-induced bone loss in
rats.
Shirke SS, Jadhav SR, Jagtap AG. Department of Pharmacology, Bombay College of
Pharmacy, Kalina, Santacruz, Mumbai 400 098, India.
Abstract
Several animal and clinical studies have shown that phytoestrogens,
plant-derived estrogenic compounds, can be useful in treating postmenopausal
osteoporosis. Phytoestrogens and phytoestrogen-containing plants are
currently under active investigation for their role in estrogen-related
disorders. The present study deals with anti-osteoporotic evaluation of
phytoestrogen-rich plant Cuminum cyminum, commonly known as cumin. Adult
Sprague-Dawley rats were bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX) and randomly
assigned to 3 groups (10 rats/group). Additional 10 animals were sham
operated. OVX and sham control groups were orally administered with vehicle
while the other two OVX groups were administered 0.15 mg/kg estradiol and 1
g/kg of methanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum fruits (MCC) in two divided
doses for 10 weeks. At the end of the study blood, bones and uteri of the
animals were collected. Serum was evaluated for calcium, phosphorus,
alkaline phosphatase and tartarate resistant acid phosphatase. Bone density,
ash density, mineral content and mechanical strength of bones were
evaluated. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis of bones (tibia) was
performed. Results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukeys multiple comparison
test. MCC (1 g/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced urinary calcium excretion
and significantly increased calcium content and mechanical strength of bones
in comparison to OVX control. It showed greater bone and ash densities and
improved microarchitecture of bones in SEM analysis. Unlike estradiol it did
not affect body weight gain and weight of atrophic uterus in OVX animals.
MCC prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats with no anabolic effect
on atrophic uterus. The osteoprotective effect was comparable with
estradiol.
PMID: 18824723
Free text>
http://ebm.rsmjournals.com/cgi/reprint/233/11/1403
Snip>
" cumin delayed progression and maturation of STZ-induced cataract "
J Nutr Biochem. 2009 Jul;20(7):553-62. Epub 2008 Sep 11.
Delay of diabetic cataract in rats by the antiglycating potential of cumin
through modulation of alpha-crystallin chaperone activity.
Kumar PA, Reddy PY, Srinivas PN, Reddy GB. National Institute of Nutrition,
Hyderabad 500007, India.
Abstract
alpha-Crystallin, a molecular chaperone of the eye lens, plays an important
role in maintaining the transparency of the lens by preventing the
aggregation/inactivation of several proteins and enzymes in addition to its
structural role. alpha-Crystallin is a long-lived protein and is susceptible
to several posttranslational modifications during aging, more so in certain
clinical conditions such as diabetes. Nonenzymatic glycation of lens
proteins and decline in the chaperone-like function of alpha-crystallin have
been reported in diabetic conditions. Therefore, inhibitors of nonenzymatic
protein glycation appear to be a potential target to preserve the chaperone
activity of alpha-crystallin and to combat cataract under hyperglycemic
conditions. In this study, we investigated the antiglycating potential of
cumin in vitro and its ability to modulate the chaperone-like activity of
alpha-crystallin vis-a-vis the progression of diabetic cataract in vivo.
Aqueous extract of cumin was tested for its antiglycating ability against
fructose-induced glycation of goat lens total soluble protein (TSP),
alpha-crystallin from goat lens and a nonlenticular protein bovine serum
albumin (BSA). The antiglycating potential of cumin was also investigated by
feeding streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats with diet containing
0.5% cumin powder. The aqueous extract of cumin prevented in vitro glycation
of TSP, alpha-crystallin and BSA. Slit lamp examination revealed that
supplementation of cumin delayed progression and maturation of STZ-induced
cataract in rats. Cumin was effective in preventing glycation of TSP and
alpha-crystallin in diabetic lens. Interestingly, feeding of cumin to
diabetic rats not only prevented loss of chaperone activity but also
attenuated the structural changes of alpha-crystallin in lens. These results
indicated that cumin has antiglycating properties that may be attributed to
the modulation of chaperone activity of alpha-crystallin, thus delaying
cataract in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
PMID: 18789666
[You can not observe a more powerful anti-cancer effect that this.]
Snip>
"No tumors were observed "
J Med Food. 2006 Summer;9(2):237-45.
Effect of spices on lipid metabolism in 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced rat colon
carcinogenesis.
Nalini N, Manju V, Menon VP. Department of Biochemistry, Annamalai University,
Annamalainagar, Tamilnadu, India.
Abstract
Colon cancer is the second most common cancer among men and women worldwide.
We investigated the effect of red chilli (Capsicum annum L.), cumin
(Cuminum cyminum L.), and black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) on colon cancer
induced in rats by a colon-specific carcinogen, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH).
Colon cancer was induced by subcutaneous injection of DMH at a dosage of 20
mg/kg of body weight (15 doses, at 1-week intervals). The rats were
continued with the standard pellet diet and supplemented red chilli [C.
annum L., 0.015% (wt/wt) mixed with the diet], cumin seeds [C. cyminum L.,
1.25% (wt/wt) mixed with the diet], and black pepper (P. nigrum L., 0.5%
(wt/wt) mixed with the diet] throughout the experimental period. After the
total experimental period of 32 weeks (including 2 weeks of acclimatization)
the incidence and number of tumors in the colon were observed to be
significantly higher in the rats administered DMH and/or red chillis, as
compared with the cumin + DMH and black pepper + DMH groups. No tumors were
observed in the control, cumin + DMH, or black pepper + DMH groups. The
levels of fecal bile acids and neutral sterols in 24-hour fecal samples were
significantly decreased in DMH + chilli-administered rats, while the
excretion of fecal bile acids and neutral sterols was significantly
increased in cumin + DMH- and black pepper + DMH-administered rats. In DMH-,
chilli-, and chilli + DMH-administered rats the levels of cholesterol,
cholesterol/phospholipid ratio, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase
activity were decreased in cumin + DMH- and black pepper + DMH-treated
rats. The phospholipid levels were reduced in the DMH, chilli, and chilli +
DMH groups as compared with the cumin + DMH and black pepper + DMH groups.
Our results show that chilli supplementation promotes colon carcinogenesis,
whereas cumin or black pepper suppresses colon carcinogensis in the presence
of the procarcinogen DMH.
PMID: 16822210
[Cumin even offers protection against booze!]
Phytother Res. 2005 May;19(5):416-21.
Therapeutic role of Cuminum cyminum on ethanol and thermally oxidized sunflower
oil induced toxicity.
Aruna K, Rukkumani R, Varma PS, Menon VP. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of
Science, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
Ethanol is one of the most widely used and abused drugs, increasing lipid
levels in humans and experimental animals. Heating of oil rich in
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) produces various lipid peroxidative end
products that can aggravate the pathological changes produced by ethanol. In
the present communication, the effect of Cuminum cyminum was investigated
on alcohol and thermally oxidized oil induced hyperlipidaemia. The results
showed increased activity of aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline
phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and increased levels
of cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids in the plasma of rats given
alcohol, thermally oxidized oil and alcohol+thermally oxidized oil when
compared with the normal control group. The levels of tissue (liver and
kidney) cholesterol and triglycerides were increased significantly in rats
groups given alcohol, thermally oxidized oil and alcohol+thermally oxidized
oil when compared with the normal control rats. The levels were decreased
when cumin was given along with alcohol and thermally oxidized oil. The
level of phospholipids decreased significantly in the liver and kidney of
groups given alcohol, thermally oxidized oil and alcohol+thermally oridized
oil when compared with the normal control rats. The level increased when
cumin was administered along with alcohol and thermally oxidized oil. The
activity of phospholipase A and C increased significantly in the liver of
groups given alcohol, thermally oxidized oil and alcohol+thermally oxidized
oil when compared with the normal control rats, whereas the activity was
decreased with the cumin treatment. The results obtained indicate that cumin
can decrease the lipid levels in alcohol and thermally oxidized oil induced
hepatotoxicity. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PMID: 16106395
[Helicobacter pylori is associated with human gastric cancer. Cumin clobbers
helicobacter pylori.]
Phytother Res. 2005 Mar;19(3):198-202.
Antibacterial effect of plant extracts against Helicobacter pylori.
Nostro A, Cellini L, Di Bartolomeo S, Di Campli E, Grande R, Cannatelli MA,
Marzio L, Alonzo V. Pharmaco-Biological Department, University of Messina,
Messina, Italy.
Abstract
The aim of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of plant
extracts as alternative and[sol ]or as active agents supporting antibiotics
for treating Helicobacter pylori infection. The effect of either, ethanolic
or aqueous extracts from 17 plant materials were studied against one H.
pylori standard strain and 11 clinical isolates using a disc diffusion test
and by evaluating the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) on solid media.
An inhibitory activity against H. pylori strains was recorded in a large
percentage of tested plants. MIC values of ethanolic extracts were from two
to four concentration steps lower than the aqueous ones. In particular,
ethanolic extracts of Cuminum cyminum L. and Propolis expressed MIC90 values
of 0.075 mg/mL. The results show a significant in vitro effect of plant
extracts against H. pylori that could be considered a valuable support in
the treatment of the infection and may contribute to the development of new
and safe agents for inclusion in anti-H. pylori regimens. Copyright 2005
John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PMID: 15934015
Nutr Cancer. 2003;47(2):171-80.
Chemopreventive effects of Cuminum cyminum in chemically induced forestomach and
uterine cervix tumors in murine model systems.
Gagandeep, Dhanalakshmi S, Mendiz E, Rao AR, Kale RK. Radiation and Cancer
Biology Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New
Delhi-110067, India.
Abstract
Lately, a strong correlation has been established between diet and cancer.
For ages, cumin has been a part of the diet. It is a popular spice regularly
used as a flavoring agent in a number of ethnic cousins. In the present
study, cancer chemopreventive potentials of different doses of a cumin
seed-mixed diet were evaluated against benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]-induced
forestomach tumorigenesis and 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA)-induced uterine
cervix tumorigenesis. Results showed a significant inhibition of stomach
tumor burden (tumors per mouse) by cumin. Tumor burden was 7.33 +/- 2.10 in
the B(a)P-treated control group, whereas it reduced to 3.10 +/- 0.57 (P <
0.001) by a 2.5% dose and 3.11 +/- 0.60 (P <0.001) by a 5% dose of cumin
seeds. Cervical carcinoma incidence, compared with the MCA-treated control
group (66.67%), reduced to 27.27% (P < 0.05) by a diet of 5% cumin seeds and
to 12.50% (P < 0.05) by a diet of 7.5% cumin seeds. The effect of 2.5 and
5% cumin seed-mixed diets was also examined on carcinogen/xenobiotic
metabolizing phase I and phase II enzymes, antioxidant enzymes, glutathione
content, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lipid peroxidation in the liver of
Swiss albino mice. Levels of cytochrome P-450 (cyt P-450) and cytochrome b5
(cyt b(5)) were significantly augmented (P < 0.05) by the 2.5% dose of
cumin seed diet. The levels of cyt P-450 reductase and cyt b(5) reductase
were increased (significance level being from P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) by both
doses of cumin. Among the phase II enzymes, glutathione S-transferase
specific activity increased (P < 0.005) by the 5% dose, whereas that of
DT-diaphorase increased significantly (P < 0.05) by both doses used (2.5 and
5%). In the antioxidant system, significant elevation of the specific
activities of superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01) and catalase (P < 0.05) was
observed with the 5% dose of cumin. The activities of glutathione peroxidase
and glutathione reductase remained unaltered by both doses of cumin. The
level of reduced glutathione measured as nonprotein sulfhydryl content was
elevated (significance level being from P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) by both doses
of cumin. Lipid peroxidation measured as formation of MDA production showed
significant inhibition (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) by both doses of cumin. LDH
activity remained unaltered by both doses of cumin. The results strongly
suggest the cancer chemopreventive potentials of cumin seed and could be
attributed to its ability to modulate carcinogen metabolism.
PMID: 15087270
[Here the response of the big Wall Street drug companies, the AMA, and the
diabetes community at large was a deafening silence.]
Snip>
"C. cyminum supplementation was found to be more effective than glibenclamide "
Pharmacol Res. 2002 Sep;46(3):251-5.
Hypolipidemic effect of Cuminum cyminum L. on alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Dhandapani S, Subramanian VR, Rajagopal S, Namasivayam N. Department of
Biochemistry, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar 608002, Tamil Nadu, India.
Abstract
Hyperlipidemia is an associated complication of diabetes mellitus. Many
spices and herbs are known to be hypoglycaemic. Cuminum cyminum belonging to
the family Apiaceae is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment
of dyspepsia, diarrhoea and jaundice. The present work was done to study the
role of C. cyminum supplementation on the plasma and tissue lipids in
alloxan diabetic rats. Oral administration of 0.25 g kg(-1) body weight of
C. cyminum for 6 weeks to diabetic rats resulted in significant reduction in
blood glucose and an increase in total haemoglobin and glycosylated
haemoglobin. It also prevented a decrease in body weight. C. cyminum
treatment also resulted in a significant reduction in plasma and tissue
cholesterol, phospholipids, free fatty acids and triglycerides. Histological
observations demonstrated significant fatty changes and inflammatory cell
infiltrates in diabetic rat pancreas. But supplementation with C. cyminum to
diabetic rats significantly reduced the fatty changes and inflammatory cell
infiltrates. Moreover, C. cyminum supplementation was found to be more
effective than glibenclamide in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.
PMID: 12220968
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