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K. Venkata Lakshmi* et al. / International Journal of Advances in Pharmaceutical Research
IJAPR
Available Online through
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Research Paper
ISSN: 2230 – 7583
STUDIES ON ANTI-STRESS ACTIVITY OF SEEDS AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF
CUMINUM CYMINUM LINN.
K.Venkata Lakshmi *1 , R.V.Karadi 1 , K.Mallikarjuna Rao 2 , E.N.Gaviraj 1 , G.Ulab S Shinde, Pravin J Dere
,
1 Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, K. L. E.S’s College of Pharmacy,
Belgaum – 590 010, Karnataka, India.
2 Department of Pharmaceutics. Ratnam Institute of Pharmacy, Pidathapolur, Nellore,
A.P, India.
Received on 30-12-2010 Revised on 17-01-2010 Accepted on 29-01-2010
ABSTRACT
The present work was to evaluate the anti-stress activity of Cuminum cyminum linn seeds
extract by using Swim Endurance test. Aqueous extract of Cuminum cyminum linn were tested for
various preliminary phytochemical constituents and were screened for anti-stress activity. Proteins,
flavonoids, amino acids and phenolic compounds were found to be present in aqueous extract of
Cuminum cyminum linn with the help of phytochemical screening. The anti-stress activity of the
aquesous extract of Cuminum cyminum linn have the significant values at a dose of 400mg, when
compared to the standard marketed available drug.
Keywords: Cuminum cyminum, Phytochemical Screening, Kaempferol, Anti-stress activity , Swim
Endurance test
INTRODUCTION
The Medicinal plants have been
regarded as sacred and used by early
civilizations to treat sickness and to embellish
mans well being. 1 It has been estimated that
from 25,000 to 75,000 species of higher plants
exist on the earth. A reasonable estimate of
about 10% has been used in traditional
medicine. However perhaps only about 1% of
these (250-750 species) are acknowledged
through scientific studies to have therapeutic
value when used in extract form by human. 2
For Correspondence*
K.Venkatalakshmi, M.Pharm.,
Department of Pharmacognosy,
K.L.E.S’s College of Pharmacy,
Belgaum – 590010,
Karnataka, India
Mobile No:- 09533334922.
Stress can be defined as aversive stimulus
which perturbs the physiological homeostasis
of the organisms and its impact is reflected on
a variety of biological systems. Many stressful
conditions are reported to modify host
resistance to a variety of illness including
allergic and infectious disorders by influencing
the immune processes of the individual. 3
Spices form an important class of
food adjuncts in human diet. Besides
enhancing the taste and flavour of foods,
spices exhibit a wide range of physiological
and pharmacological properties. Cuminum
cyminum (Linn.) belonging to the family
Umbelliferae is widely used in ayurveda for
the treatment of dyspepsia, diarrrhoea and
jaundice. C.cyminum linn seeds have long been
considered stimulant, carminative, stomachic
and astringent. 4 Although traditionally the
seeds extract of C.cyminum linn have been
reported for its antiulcer and antistress
properties 5 , no studies have shown its antiulcer
and antistress promoting activity. In view of
this folklore claim, the present study has been
undertaken to evaluate in detail the antiulcer
and antistress activities of seeds of C.cyminum.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant material
IJAPR / January 2011/ Vol. 2 / Issue. 1/ 41 - 44 41

K. Venkata Lakshmi* et al. / International Journal of Advances in Pharmaceutical Research
The seeds of Cuminum cyminum (Linn.) were
collected from the local market in Belgaum
and authenticated by Prof. R.S.Goudar,
Department of Botany, KLES’s Raja
Lakhamagouda Science Institute, Belgaum,
Karnataka.
Extraction
Seeds were dried in shade, powdered
and subjected to Soxhlet-extraction with
petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol, 70%
ethanol and water. The extractive matter was
evaporated with the use of different method.
The individual extractive matter was stored in
separate containers for feature use. The extract
was suspended in water using Tween 80 as a
suspending agent for the purpose of oral
administration. 6
Preliminary phytochemical investigation
Qualitative chemical tests were
conducted for all the extracts of seeds of
Cuminum cyminum (Linn.) to identify the
various phytoconstituents. The various tests
and reagents used for the identification of
chemical constituents. Phytochemical
screening of the aqueous extract revealed the
presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids,
proteins and aminoacids 6 .
Experimental animals
Male albino rats of body weight 150-200 g
were selected for the experiment. Animals
were kept in animal house at an ambient
temperature of 25–30 0 C and 45–55% relative
humidity with a 12 hr light: dark cycle.
Animals were fed pellet diet (Amrut, Sangali)
and water ad libitum.
Swim Endurance Test 7
Swiss albino mice (25+2g) of either
sex were used for swim endurance. The normal
animals were treated with normal saline
(1ml/rat p.o), second group with Geriforte, an
Ayurvedic formulation (300mg/kg b.w.) and
other ten groups with their respective seed
extracts of 200 and 400mg/kg b.w. for 14 days.
On day 14, mice were allowed to swim in
cylindrical container (diameter 10cm, height
25cm), containing 19cm of water maintained
at (25+1 0 c) till they got exhausted 8 and the
moment they drowned was considered as the
endpoint “Swimming Time” .9
Anoxic Stress Tolerance Test 7
Anoxia is a very severe stressor. All
the body functions, including cellular
respiration depends on oxygen supply to them.
Lack of this vital element will cause all the
vital functions of the body to cease. Swiss
albino mice (25±2g) of either sex were used
for anoxia stress tolerance test. The control
animals were treated with normal saline
(1ml/kg b.w.p.o), second group with Geriforte,
an Ayurvedic formulation (300mg/kg b.w.p.o.)
and other ten groups with their respective seed
extracts (200 and 400mg/kg b.w.p.o.) for 21
days. Conical flasks of 250 ml capacity were
used for the study. These flasks were made
airtight using rubber cork before beginning of
the experiment. On day 21, 1hr after the
treatment, each animal was kept in the airtight
vessel and time was noted using a stopwatch.
The moment animal showed first convulsion, it
was removed immediately from the vessel and
resuscitated if needed. The time duration from
the entry of the animal in the hermetic (conical
flask) vessel to the appearance of the first
convulsion was noted.
Statistical analysis 10
The data obtained by the various
parameters was statistically evaluated by one
way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed
by Dunnett’s ‘t’ test using Graph Pad Prism
software. The mean and SEM values were
calculated for each parameter.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
In the present study, shade dried seeds
of Cuminum cyminum (Linn.) belonging to
family Umbelliferae/Apiaceae, having
medicinally important bioactive constituents
was reviewed, with special emphasis on the
biological activities. The dried seed powder
was subjected to phytochemical work. The
preliminary phytochemical investigation
showed presence of proteins, flavonoids,
amino acids and phenolic compounds.
Administration of Geriforte, an
ayurvedic drug (300mg/kg) resulted as the
dose dependent in the increase of swimming
time in higher and lower doses of the extracts
i.e. 400 and 200 mg/kg b.w. The swimming
time in control animals was 241 mins.
Aqueous extract of (400mg/kg) showed 549.1
mins significantly increased the swimming
time as compared to control. The reduction in
swimming time by Petroleum ether,
Chloroform, Methanol and 70% Alcoholic
extracts at 400mg/kg b.w. were 520.6, 501.3,
533.6 and 436 mins respectively. Geriforte, a
standard ayurvedic drug showed significant
increase in swimming time 550.8 mins. Here,
Aqueous extract showed better results and the
results were as good as the standard drug
Geriforte when compared to the other extracts.
IJAPR / January 2011/ Vol. 2 / Issue. 1/ 41 - 44 42

K. Venkata Lakshmi* et al. / International Journal of Advances in Pharmaceutical Research
Administration of Geriforte, an
ayurveda drug (300mg/kg) resulted as the dose
dependent in the increase of convulsion time in
higher and lower doses of extracts i.e. 400 and
200 mg/kg b.w. The convulsion time in control
animals was 219.3 mins. Aqueous extract of
(400mg/kg) showed 540 mins significantly
increased the convulsion time as compared to
control.
The reduction in convulsion time by
Petroleum ether, Chloroform, Methanol and
70% Alcoholic extracts at 400mg/kg b.w.were
493.3, 436, 526 and 494 mins respectively.
Geriforte, a standard ayurvedic drug showed
significant increase in convulsion time 548
mins. Here, Aqueous extract showed better
results and the results were as good as the
standard drug Geriforte when compared to the
other extracts.
Table No. 01, Effect of Cuminum cyminum
extracts on swimming time and convulsion
time in anti-stress models
Treatment Swimming Anoxic stress
time
Control 241±3.8 219±2.3
Standard 550±10.4* 548±8.3*
(Geriforte
Pet. Ether 234±7.3 215±4.8
200mg/kg b.w
Pet. Ether 520±5.4* 493±8.3*
400mg/kg b.w
Chloroform 258±6.2 231±3.7
200mg/kg b.w
Chloroform 501±4.4* 436±6.5*
400mg/kg b.w
Methanol 261±8.1 275±4.7
200mg/kg b.w
Methanol 533±3.5* 526±3.8*
400mg/kg b.w
70% Alcohol 239±5.0 240±3.9
200mg/kg b.w
70% Alcohol 436±3.5* 494±5.7*
400mg/kg b.w
Aqueous 269±5.9 225±5.5
200mg/kg b.w
Aqueous 549±7.3* 540±10.6*
400mg/kg b.w
*P< 0.05 Vs Control; values are in mean ±
SEM
CONCLUSION
For assessing anti stress activity,
swim endurance and anoxic stress models were
used and it showed aqueous extract at a dose
of 400mg/kg b.w. significant compared to the
control. Hence, to put into a nutshell, more
significant anti-stress activity of aqueous
extract (400mg/kg b.w) may be due to the
presence of flavonoids (Kaempferol).
However, this claim demands further
investigations.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are thankful to chairman and
principal of K. L. E.S’s College of Pharmacy,
Belgaum for the providing the all facilities for
carried out this work.
Graph No: 01, Effect of Cuminum cyminum
extract on swimming time in Swim endurance
model
Convulsion Time(mins)
600
400
200
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Treatment groups
1= Control(Normal saline),
2= Standard(Geriforte)),
3= Pet ether (200mg/kg),
4= Pet ether (400mg/kg),
5= Chloroform (200mg/kg),
6=Chloroform 0mg/kg),
7= Methanol (200mg/kg),
8= Methanol (400mg/kg), 9= 70% Alcohol
(200mg/kg), 10= 70% Alcohol (400mg/kg), 11=
Aqueous (200mg/kg),
12= Aqueous (400mg/kg).
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K. Venkata Lakshmi* et al. / International Journal of Advances in Pharmaceutical Research
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