Studying the Toxicity of Hydroalcoholic Caraway Seeds Extract in Female Rats

Abstract

Caraway seeds are widely used as spice for flavoring and seasoning foods, like bread and salads, because of their pungent and anise like flavor and aroma. Carum carvi was utilized in folk medicine for the management of many diseases. It is useful in hypothyroidism, liver and gall bladder problems, common cold, fever, bronchitis, diarrhea, and eczema. It also relives GIT spasms, fullness feelings and relieves baby's flatulent colic. The extracts of caraway have diverse compounds, including carvone and limonene, linalool, γ-terpinene and α-pinene. One or combination of these compounds may participate in the pharmacologic effects of caraway. Aim of this study was to assess toxicity of caraway extract on female rats. Carium carvi extract submitted to chemical analysis (Phytochemical screening and Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis). Acute toxicity study has been performed using 24 female rats divided randomly in 4 groups (n=6 for each group) that received different doses of hydroalcoholic seed extract of caraway 1000, 3000 and ,5000 mg/kg for 14 days. On day 15, the rats were euthanized and whole blood collected to examine complete blood picture. The liver, kidney and the heart have been harvested for histopathologic study and relative organ weight changes. Caraway extract considered relatively safe on blood profile and immune system within the studied doses, as it shown a non-significant change on complete blood counts (CBCs) in a dose-dependent manner (Hb and RBCs increased slightly, while WBCs and PLTs decreased slightly) and without any change in body weight and relative weight percentage of different organs. As conclusion, hydroalcoholic extract of caraway seeds was relatively safe in rats at a dose up to 5000 mg/kg