Adaptogenic and nootropic activities of aqueous extract of Carum carvi Linn. (Caraway) fruit: An experimental study in Wistar rats

Stress has been involved in the etio-pathogenesis of a diverse variety of diseases, varying from cognitive dysfunction, diabetes, hypertension and aging [1].In the present study, the aqueous extract of Carum carvi (CA) was evaluated for adaptogenic and nootropic activities in rats. Furthermore, the extract was studied for in vitro antioxidant potential to correlate its antistress activity. For the evaluation of antistress activity in both normal and stress induced rats, Urinary vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) [2] and ascorbic acid (AA) were selected as non-invasive biomarkers. Daily administration of CA at doses of 100, 200 and 300mg/kg body weight one hour prior to induction of stress inhibited the stress induced urinary biochemical changes in a dose dependent manner. Nootropic activity was evaluated by conditioned avoidance response (CAR) using Cook's pole climbing apparatus in rats [3]. The cognition, as determined by the acquisition, retention and retrieval was observed to be significant and dose dependent. Further more the extract was also studied for their in vitro lipidperoxidation inhibition (antioxidant) [4] activity in brain and liver homogenates and compared to known antioxidant ascorbic acid. The present study provides scientific support for the antistress (adaptogenic), antioxidant and nootropic activities of Carum carvi extract and substantiate its traditional use as a culinary spice in foods is beneficial and scientific in combating stress induced disorders.

References: [1] Chrousos, G.P., Gold, P.W. (1992)J. Am. Med. Assoc. 267:1244–1252.

[2] Pisano, J.J. et al. (1962) Clin. Chem. Acta 7:277–284.

[3] Cook, L., Weidley, E. (1957) Ann. NY. Acad. Sci. 66:740–752.

[4] Ohkawa, H. et al. (1979) Anal. Biochem. 95:51–358.