Cumin
Cuminum cyminum L. also referred to as Cuminum odorum Salisb, Cuminia cyminum J.F. Gmel, Cuminum hispanicum Bunge, Ligusticum cuminum (L.) Crantz. Family: Apiaceae (carrot family) 1,  , 2
Cumin , cummin
 
Clinical Overview
Uses
Cumin seeds are used in cooking and the oil is used to flavor food and scent cosmetics. Components may have antioxidant, anticancer, hypoglycemic, antiepileptic, antiosteoporotic, ophthalmic, antibacterial, and larvicidal effects; however, there is no clinical evidence to support these claims. Cumin is generally recognized as safe for human consumption as a spice and flavoring. 3

Dosing
There are no recent clinical studies of cumin that provide a basis for dosage recommendations.

Contraindications
Contraindications have not yet been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions
None well documented.

Adverse Reactions
The oil may have photosensitizing effects. Cumin may also cause hypoglycemia.

Toxicology
No data are available.

 
Botany
Cumin is a small annual plant native to the Mediterranean region, where it is cultivated extensively. The cumin seed is widely used in cooking. The dried seeds resemble those of caraway, but are straighter in form and have a coarser taste and odor. 4,  Major cumin seed producers include Egypt, Iran, India, and Morocco. 5 The United States is one of the largest producers of cumin oil. This spice should not be confused with sweet cumin, which is a common name for anise ( Pimpinella anisum ). 1 Black cumin ( Bunium persicum ) has smaller and sweeter seeds than C. cyminum , but is not commercially important. Another black cumin ( Nigella sativa ) is not related to cumin. 1,  , 3
 
History
Traditional uses of cumin include anti-inflammatory, diuretic, carminative, and antispasmodic. It has also been used as an aid for treating dyspepsia, jaundice, diarrhea, flatulence, and indigestion. Cumin powder has been used as a poultice and suppository and has been smoked in a pipe and taken orally. 6,  , 7,  , 8,  , 9,  , 10,  , 11,  In addition, cumin has been used historically for the treatment of toothaches and epilepsy in Iran. 12,  Cumin is a major component of curry and chili powders and is used to flavor a variety of commercial food products. 5,  Cumin has also been crushed and mixed with foods such as fish and meat, and the seeds sprinkled on bread and cakes. 2,  The oil, derived by steam distillation, 3,  is used to flavor alcoholic beverages, desserts, and condiments. It is also used as a fragrant component of creams, lotions, and perfumes. 5
 
Chemistry
Cumin seeds contain up to 5% of a volatile oil composed primarily of aldehydes (up to 60%). In addition, the seeds yield about 22% fats, numerous free amino acids, and a variety of flavonoid glycosides, including derivatives of apigenin and luteolin. 5,  , 7,  , 8,  , 13,  , 14,  The cuminaldehyde content varies considerably, depending on the source of the oil (fresh vs ground seeds). Fine grinding of the seed can result in the loss of up to 50% of the volatile oil, 5,  with the greatest loss occurring within 1 hour of milling. Monoterpene hydrocarbons are another major component of the oil; sesquiterpenes are minor constituents. 8,  , 13
The chief components of the characteristic aroma of unheated whole seeds are 3p-menthen-7al and cuminaldehyde in combination with other related aldehydes. Cumin also contains safrole, a mutagen, which is degraded by cooking. 15
 
Uses and Pharmacology
Cumin is generally recognized as safe for human consumption as a spice and flavoring. 3
Hypoglycemic effects
Animal data   In studies conducted on rats with induced diabetes, cumin reduced blood glucose levels. 16,  , 17,  One mechanism for this reduction suggests the inhibition of aldose reductase and alpha-glucosidase. 18,  In addition, reductions in plasma and tissue cholesterol, phospholipids, free fatty acids, and triglycerides (secondary to diabetes) were demonstrated in another animal study. 6,  Cumin, given at a level 5 times higher than the usual culinary intake, did not reduce serum or liver cholesterol levels in rats fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. 19
Clinical data   A 1991 study suggested that cumin seeds may be beneficial when treating patients with diabetes. 20,  , 21 However, there is limited information to support this finding.
Antioxidant effects
Animal data   Cumin seeds contain flavonoids, many of which are now generally recognized to have antioxidant activity. The petroleum ether soluble fraction of cumin has shown antioxidant activity when mixed with lard. 5,  In studies in mice, cumin seed elevated levels of glutathione and stimulated other antioxidant systems. 8
Conflicting evidence exists for the inhibition of hepatic peroxidation. 8,  , 22,  However, cuminaldehyde has been demonstrated to scavenge the superoxide anion. 23
Clinical data   No human clinical data are available regarding the use of cumin for its antioxidant effects.
Anticancer effects
Animal data   In mice, cumin seeds demonstrated the ability to inhibit the induction of gastric squamous cell carcinomas. 8,  , 24,  Cumin also demonstrated a protective effect against induced colonic cancer in rats. Decreased beta-glucuronidase and mucinase activity was evident, and the rats had fewer papillae, no infiltration into the submucosa, and fewer morphological changes. 25
Cumin seeds were not carcinogenic when tested by the reverse mutation Salmonella typhimurium (TA100) test, but demonstrated very weak oxidative mutagenicity with strain TA102. 15,  , 26
Clinical data   No human clinical data are available regarding the use of cumin for the treatment of cancer.
Antiepileptic effects
Animal data   In garden snails, extracellular application of the essential oil of C. cyminum 1% and 3% dramatically reduced epileptic activity induced by pentylenetetrazol by decreasing the firing rate of F1 neuronal cells, causing a significant depolarization in the resting membrane potential ( P  < 0.05) and reducing the amplitude of after hyperpolarization potential as well as increasing the duration ( P  < 0.05). 12
Clinical data   No human clinical data are available regarding the use of cumin for antiepileptic effects.
Antiosteoporotic effects
Animal data   Cumin is recognized as a phytoestrogen-rich plant containing estrogenic components, such as beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, and the flavonoids luteolin and apigenin. Cumin may serve as a potential treatment option in estrogen-related conditions such as postmenopausal osteoporosis. A study was conducted using 40 virgin Sprague-Dawley rats in which 30 underwent bilateral ovariectomies (OVM) and 10 underwent a sham operation. The sham group (n = 10) and OVM control group (n = 10) received a vehicle while the other OVM rats received estradiol 0.15 mg/kg and 1 g/kg of methanolic extract of C. cyminum (MCC) in 2 divided doses for a period of 10 weeks. The administration of MCC was associated with reduced urinary calcium excretion and increased calcium content compared with OVM control group. Additionally, MCC was associated with greater bone density compared with the OVM group (13.21 ± 1.70 g/cc vs 8.72 ± 0.95 g/cc, mean ± SEM), although this was not statistically significant. 27
Clinical data   No human clinical data are available regarding the use of cumin for treatment of osteoporosis.
Ophthalmic effects
Animal data   Cumin may delay the development of cataracts as demonstrated in diabetic rats. An aqueous extract of cumin delayed progression and maturation of streptozotocin-induced cataracts in rats by preventing glycation of total soluble protein and alpha-crystallin in the lenses. 28
Clinical data   No human clinical data are available regarding the use of cumin for treatment of cataracts.
Other uses   Stimulation of bile acid secretion and pancreatic enzymes has been demonstrated in rats given a continuous intake of dietary cumin. Variable results were obtained with a single dose of cumin. 9,  , 10,  , 29,  Cumin extract inhibited arachidonate-induced platelet aggregation in human platelets in a dose-dependent manner. 11 Cumin oil and cuminaldehyde exhibited strong larvicidal and antibacterial activity. At in vitro concentrations of 300 or 600 ppm, cumin oil inhibited the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum . 30,  Cumin essential oil demonstrated activity comparable with standard antibiotics against common human pathogens in in vitro experiments 31,  and against gram-negative and gram-positive plant pathogens. 32,  , 33 C. cyminum essential oil may also be beneficial for the inhibition of supragingival dental plaque via antimicrobial effects and biofilm-formation prevention. Its bactericidal properties are believed to be caused by the monoterpene constituents pinene and cineole. 34,  An aqueous extract of cumin inhibited rat jejunal ATPase in an in vitro experiment. 35
 
Administration & Dosage
There are no clinical studies of cumin that provide a basis for dosage recommendations.
 
Pregnancy/Lactation
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.
 
Interactions
In rat plasma, an aqueous extract from cumin seeds enhanced rifampin levels. Specifically, the maximum plasma concentration of rifampin was increased by 35% and the area under the curve by 53%, probably caused by the flavonoid glycoside, 3′,5-dihydroxyflavone 7-O-beta-D-galacturonide 4′-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. This pharmacokinetic interaction could be beneficial for patients receiving rifampin for the treatment of tuberculosis. 36
 
Adverse Reactions
Cumin oil components are absorbed rapidly through shaved intact abdominal mouse skin. Undiluted cumin oil has phototoxic effects that are not related to cuminaldehyde, but to another photosensitizing component. 5,  Because cumin has demonstrated blood glucose-lowering properties in rats, it could theoretically cause hypoglycemia. Patients with diabetes who are receiving an oral hypoglycemic agent and insulin should use caution when coadministering cumin. 16,  , 17,  , 18,  , 20,  , 21
 
Toxicology
No data are available.
 
References
 

1. Cuminum cyminum L. USDA, NRCS. 2005. The Plants Database ( http://plants.usda.gov , July 2009). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.

 

2. Duke JA, Duke PK, DuCellier JL, eds. Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants of the Bible . Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press; 2008:155-160.

 

3. Simon JE, Chadwick AF, Craker LE. Herbs: An Indexed Bibliography, 1971-1980 . Hamden, CT: Archon Books; 1984.

 

4. Evans WC. Trease and Evans' Pharmacognosy . 13th ed. London, England: Bailliére Tindall; 1989.

 

5. Leung AY. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics . New York, NY: J. Wiley; 1980.

 

6. Dhandapani S, Subramanian VR, Rajagopal S, Namasivayam N. Hypolipidemic effect of Cuminum cyminum L. on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Pharmacol Res . 2002;46(3):251-255.  PubMed

 

7. Ishikawa T, Takayanagi T, Kitajima J. Water-soluble constituents of cumin: monoterpenoid glucosides. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) . 2002;50(11):1471-1478.  PubMed

 

8. Gagandeep, Dhanalakshmi S, Méndiz E, Rao AR, Kale RK. Chemopreventive effects of Cuminum cyminum in chemically induced forestomach and uterine cervix tumors in murine model systems. Nutr Cancer . 2003;47(2):171-180.  PubMed

 

9. Platel K, Srinivasan K. Digestive stimulant action of spices: a myth or reality? Indian J Med Res . 2004;119(5):167-179.  PubMed

 

10. Platel K, Srinivasan K. Influence of dietary spices and their active principles on pancreatic digestive enzymes in albino rats. Nahrung . 2000;44(1):42-46.  PubMed

 

11. Srivastava KC. Extracts from two frequently consumed spices—cumin ( Cuminum cyminum ) and turmeric ( Curcuma longa )—inhibit platelet aggregation and alter eicosanoid biosynthesis in human blood platelets. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids . 1989;37(1):57-64.  PubMed

 

12. Janahmadi M, Niazi F, Danyali S, Kamalinejad M. Effects of the fruit essential oil of Cuminum cyminum Linn. (Apiaceae) on pentylenetetrazol-induced epileptiform activity in F1 neurons of Helix aspersa . J Ethnopharmacol . 2006;104(1-2):278-282.  PubMed

 

13. Takayanagi T, Ishikawa T, Kitajima J. Sesquiterpene lactone glucosides and alkyl glycosides from the fruit of cumin. Phytochemistry . 2003;63(4):479-484.  PubMed

 

14. Kitajima J, Ishikawa T, Fujimatu E, Kondho K, Takayanagi T. Glycosides of 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol from the fruits of anise, coriander and cumin. Phytochemistry . 2003;62(1):115-120.  PubMed

 

15. Al-Bataina BA, Maslat AO, Al-Kofahi MM. Element analysis and biological studies on ten oriental spices using XRF and Ames test. J Trace Elem Med Biol . 2003;17(2):85-90.  PubMed

 

16. Roman-Ramos R, Flores-Saenz JL, Alarcon-Aguilar FJ. Anti-hyperglycemic effect of some edible plants. J Ethnopharmacol . 1995;48(1):25-32.  PubMed

 

17. Talpur N, Echard B, Ingram C, Bagchi D, Preuss H. Effects of a novel formulation of essential oils on glucose-insulin metabolism in diabetic and hypertensive rats: a pilot study. Diabetes Obes Metab . 2005;7(2):193-199.  PubMed

 

18. Lee HS. Cuminaldehyde: aldose reductase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitor derived from Cuminum cyminum L. seeds. J Agric Food Chem . 2005;53(7):2446-2450.  PubMed

 

19. Sambaiah K, Srinivasan K. Effect of cumin, cinnamon, ginger, mustard and tamarind in induced hypercholesterolemic rats. Nahrung . 1991;35(1):47-51.  PubMed

 

20. Karnic CR. A clinical trial of a composite herbal drug in treatment of diabetes mellitus (madhumeha). Aryavaidyan . 1991;5(1):36-46.

 

21. Srinivasan K. Plant foods in the management of diabetes mellitus: spices as beneficial antidiabetic food adjuncts. Int J Food Sci Nutr . 2005;56(6):399-414.  PubMed

 

22. Reddy AC, Lokesh BR. Studies on spice principles as antioxidants in the inhibition of lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsomes. Mol Cell Biochem . 1992;111(1-2):117-124.  PubMed

 

23. Krishnakantha TP, Lokesh BR. Scavenging of superoxide anions by spice principles. Indian J Biochem Biophys . 1993;30(2):133-134.  PubMed

 

24. Aruna K, Sivaramakrishnan VM. Anticarcinogenic effects of some Indian plant products. Food Chem Toxicol . 1992;30(11):953-956.  PubMed

 

25. Nalini N, Sabitha K, Viswanathan P, Menon VP. Influence of spices on the bacterial (enzyme) activity in experimental colon cancer. J Ethnopharmacol . 1998;62(1):15-24.  PubMed

 

26. Sivaswamy SN, Balachandran B, Balanehru S, Sivaramakrishnan VM. Mutagenic activity of south Indian food items. Indian J Exp Biol . 1991;29(8):730-737.  PubMed

 

27. Shirke SS, Jadhav SR, Jagtap AG. Methanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum inhibits ovariectomy-induced bone loss in rats. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) . 2008;233(11):1403-1410.  PubMed

 

28. Kumar PA, Reddy PY, Srinivas PN, Reddy GB. Delay of diabetic cataract in rats by the antiglycating potential of cumin through modulation of alpha-crystallin chaperone activity. J Nutr Biochem . 2009;20(7):553-562.  PubMed

 

29. Ramakrishna Rao R, Platel K, Srinivasan K. In vitro influence of spices and spice-active principles on digestive enzymes of rat pancreas and small intestine. Nahrung . 2003;47(6):408-412.  PubMed

 

30. Kivanç M, Akgül A, Doğan A. Inhibitory and stimulatory effects of cumin, oregano and their essential oils on growth and acid production of Lactobacillus plantarum and Leuconostoc mesenteroides . Int J Food Microbiol . 1991;13(1):81-85.  PubMed

 

31. Singh G, Kapoor IP, Pandey SK, Singh UK, Singh RK. Studies on essential oils: part 10; antibacterial activity of volatile oils of some spices. Phytother Res . 2002;16(7):680-682.  PubMed

 

32. Iacobellis NS, Lo Cantore P, Capasso F, Senatore F. Antibacterial activity of Cuminum cyminum L. and Carum carvi L. essential oils. J Agric Food Chem . 2005;53(1):57-61.  PubMed

 

33. Derakhshan S, Sattari M, Bigdeli M. Effect of subinhibitory concentrations of cumin ( Cuminum cyminum L.) seed essential oil and alcoholic extract on the morphology, capsule expression and urease activity of Klebsiella pneumoniae . Int J Antimicrob Agents . 2008;32(5):432-436.  PubMed

 

34. Shayegh S, Rasooli I, Taghizadeh M, Astaneh SD. Phytotherapeutic inhibition of supragingival dental plaque. Nat Prod Res . 2008;22(5):428-439.  PubMed

 

35. Kreydiyyeh SI, Usta J, Copti R. Effect of cinnamon, clove and some of their constituents on the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity and alanine absorption in the rat jejunum. Food Chem Toxicol . 2000;38(9):755-762.  PubMed

 

36. Sachin BS, Sharma SC, Sethi S, et al. Herbal modulation of drug bioavailability: enhancement of rifampicin levels in plasma by herbal products and a flavonoid glycoside derived from Cuminum cyminum . Phytother Res . 2007;21(2):157-163.  PubMed