Cardamom Extract Research Articles

Pharmacological basis for the medicinal use of cardamom in asthma

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of asthma. This study describes its airways relaxant potential, with elucidation of possible underlying mechanism. Crude extract of cardamom which tested positive for alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, sterols and tannins, when tested against carbachol-mediated bronchoconstriction in rats under anesthesia, dose-dependently (10-100 mg/kg) suppressed the carbachol (1 µmol/kg)-evoked increase in the inspiratory pressure. In isolated rabbit trachea tissues, crude extract of cardamom caused relaxation of both carbachol (1 µM) and high K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions, like that caused by verapamil, suggesting its Ca++ channel blockade action. These results indicate that cardamom exhibits bronchodilatory effect, mediated through Ca++ antagonist mechanism, which provides sound mechanistic background for its medicinal use in asthma.

In Vitro Investigation of the Potential Immunomodulatory and Anti-Cancer Activities of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) and Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

Although the immunomodulatory effects of many herbs have been extensively studied, research related to possible immunomodulatory effects of various spices is relatively scarce. Here, the potential immunomodulatory effects of black pepper and cardamom are investigated. Our data show that black pepper and cardamom aqueous extracts significantly enhance splenocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent, synergistic fashion. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay experiments reveal that black pepper and cardamom significantly enhance and suppress, respectively, T helper (Th)1 cytokine release by splenocytes. Conversely, Th2 cytokine release by splenocytes is significantly suppressed and enhanced by black pepper and cardamom, respectively. Experimental evidence suggests that black pepper and cardamom extracts exert pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory roles, respectively. Consistently, nitric oxide production by macrophages is significantly augmented and reduced by black pepper and cardamom, respectively. Remarkably, it is evident that black pepper and cardamom extracts significantly enhance the cytotoxic activity of natural killer cells, indicating their potential anti-cancer effects. Our findings strongly suggest that black pepper and cardamom exert immunomodulatory roles and antitumor activities, and hence they manifest themselves as natural agents that can promote the maintenance of a healthy immune system. We anticipate that black pepper and cardamom constituents can be used as potential therapeutic tools to regulate inflammatory responses and prevent/attenuate carcinogenesis.

Evaluation of antidiarrhoeal activity of Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) on mice models

SUMMARY Diarrhoea is a major health care problem in developing countries. Elettaria cardamomum Matonfruits, commonly known as cardamom are widely used for flavoring purposes in food. In thisstudy we evaluated the antidiarrhoeal activity of hot water extract of cardamom againstexperimental diarrhoeal models on mice. Cardamom extract showed significant antidiarrhoealactivity against castor oil and magnesium sulphate induced models. Whereas, the gastrointestinalmotility was slightly increased. Key words: Antidiarrhoeal; Cardamom; Elettaria cardamomu; Gastrointestinal INTRODUCTION In developing countries diarrhoea is a major publichealth problem and therefore it is important anduseful to identify plants with antidiarrhoealactivity. Diarrhoea ranks second to respiratorydiseases as the cause of non-surgical paediatricadmission and causes one fourth of the avoidabledeaths in hospitalized children. It is one of theleading causes of morbidity and mortality in allage groups, particularly in infants and childrenunder the age of three. The incidence of diarrhoealdiseases still remains high despite the efforts of anygovernments and international organizations (e.g.WHO) to curb it (Agbor et al., 2004).Cardamom, the fruits of Elettaria cardamomumMaton. (Zingiberaceae), are widely used forflavoring purposes in food and as carminative. InUnani system of medicine it is used to treatgastrointestinal disorders (Jamal et al., 2006).Despite its wide uses little information has beenreported on their pharmacological properties,which showed antioxidant (Hinneburg et al., 2006;Vasavada et al.., 2006) and anti-inflammatoryactivity (Al-Zuhair et al.., 1996). Antimicrobialactivity of cardamom was attributed to its essentialoil (Ramadan et al.., 1994; Garg and Jain, 2001).Recently, cardamom showed gastroprotective effectsagainst aspirin and ethanol induced lesions in rats(Jamal et al., 2006). The seeds also showed activityagainst Helicobacter pylori (Nostro et al.., 2005).Cardamom is usually added to the food preparations

Effects of Stearin and Lecithin Concentrations on Physical Properties of Chocolate

Herbal coffee is one of the coffee diversivication product that has been well recognized in the market. The addition of herbs or spices, such as ginger, pasak bumi (Eurycoma longifolia), Panax (from the genus of Panax L.) and Habbatussauda (black cumin/black seed/Nigella sativa) in the coffee, not only offer an enhanced flavor characteristic, but more importantly also offer the consumer to gain a health benefit which are possessed by the herbs used. Cardamom (Amonum cardomum) is commonly recognized as a food spices to add flavor to dishes. Cardamom is also known as a herb that possess health benefit such as the medicine for tonsil and throat inflammation, fever, asthma and fatigue reliever. This research was aimed to develop a herbal coffee containing the extract of cardamom and to study the characteristic of herbal coffee obtained physicochemically and by sensory analysis. Crystallized coffee and sugar mixture was blended with cardamom extract by several ratio, which were 90%:10%, 80%:20%, 70%:30%, 60%:40% and 50%:50% to obtain ready to drink cardamom herbal coffee. The mixtures and control (without the addition of cardamom) were then subjected for consumer perception by testing it to 30 panelist based on hedonic sensory test. The 3 mixtures that were choosen were then analysed for its physicochemical characteristic such as its powder and brewing appearrance, insoluble solids, reducing sugar and caffein concentration. The result showed that the addition of 10%, 20% and 30% cardamom extracthad good preferences to consumer, which 10% of addition resulted the highest preferences. The hedonic sensory test resulted the preferences of the aforementioned herbal coffee on color, aroma, taste and flavor was 3.37; 3.14; 3.30; 3.27 and 3.37 (on scale 1 to 5), respectively, representing moderately like to like preferences.The physiscochemical analysis show that the mixture contain 0.17% of insoluble solid, 0.13% of reducing sugar and 0.45% caffeine which comply the Indonesia standard of SNI 4446:1998. This result show that the cardamom herbal coffee is potential to be developed as on of coffee diversification product. Keywords: coffee mix, herbal, cardamom, coffee diversification.

Dose effects of the food spice cardamom on aspects of hamster gut physiology

The dose effects of pectic polysaccharide-rich extract from the food spice cardamom (Amomum villosum Lour.) on intestinal environment were investigated. The results showed that pectic polysaccharides and hemicellulose were the major polysaccharides in the cardamom extract. The administration of cardamom extract (0.5 and 1.5 g/100 g diet) effectively (p < 0.05) shortened hamster gastrointestinal transit time by approximately 58%, increased fecal moisture contents (148-174%), increased SCFA concentrations in hindgut (4.0- to 7.8-fold), decreased the activities of beta-D-glucuronidase (by 71.4-85.7%), beta-D-glucosidase (by 24.3-51.5%), mucinase (by 63.6-72.7%), and urease (by 88.8-90.4%) in feces, and reduced the production of toxic ammonia (by 16.1-64.5%). These findings suggested that the consumption of cardamom extract (at least 0.5 g/100 g diet or 40 mg/day) might exert a favorable effect on improving the gastrointestinal milieu, and also provide a clue to substantiate its traditional therapeutic uses and dosage for intestinal health improvement.

Use of some plant extracts for protection of liver cells from toxic effects of Methotrexate

The aim of this study was to detect the efficacy of some plant extracts in protection of liver cells from toxic effects of anti-cancer drug Methotrexate by using metabolizing enzymes glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruric transinase (GPT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as parameters. Aquatic and alcohclic extracts were prepared from the Seeds of Nigella sativa, (Citrus aurntifolia) and cardamom (Elptteria cardamam ), for each extract, four gradually increased doses were evaluated for their toxicity. Dose with no effect was selected for further investigation. Drug-plant extract interaction was conducted using white mice musculus Balb/c strain. The animals were divided into three groups: negative controls (buffer), positive control (drug) and interaction group (drug &amp; plant extract). The results showed that the dose 200 mg/kg, bw of N. sativa seeds extract and citrus fruit extract, as well as 50 mg/kg of cardamom extract induced non significant reduction in activity of GOT, GPT and ALP. However, MTX at dose of 3.25 mg/kg caused a significant (P&lt; 0.01) reduction in those enzymes. Interaction between the selected doses of drug and plant extract, before and after drug treatments, was conducted. Significant reduction of drug effects on GPT, GOT and ALP was noticed when N. sativa and cardamom extracts were given for 7 days before drug treatments. Citrus fruit and aquatic extract of cardamom were negative in such experiment. Patient on treatment with MTX should be checked for liver function test and these plants might protect him.

Activity of Some Plant Oils and Extracts Against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides

The antifungal effects of a range of plant extracts and oils were studied in a series of in vitro experiments against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides isolated from black pepper (Piper nigrum L.). Spore germination of the fungus was completely inhibited by cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume.) oils as well as by water or ethanol extracts from galangal (Alpinia galanga L. Willd.) rhizomes and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton.) leaves. Ethanol extracts were more efficient in inhibiting spore germination than water extracts. Phytotoxicity symptoms were not observed or were minimal on pepper leaves and berries or red pepper fruits when treated with cardamom extract and galangal extract and a group of oils of cardamom, Eucalyptus, lesser galangal, lemon grass, lemon myrtle, neem, pepper black and tea-tree, but were pronounced with cinnamon oils. Cardamon oil was non toxic, but was required in higher concentrations to completely inhibit germination.

Cardamom extract as inhibitor of human platelet aggregation

The inhibitory activity of cardamom extract was studied on human platelets. Platelet aggregation and lipid peroxidation were evaluated with platelet rich plasma (PRP) and platelet membranes, respectively, obtained from blood of healthy volunteers. Human platelets were subjected to stimulation with a variety of agonists including ADP (2.5 mM), epinephrine (2.5 mM), collagen (10 mM), calcium ionophore A 23187 (6 microM) and ristocetin (1.25 microg/mL). The IC50 were 0.49, 0.21, 0.55 and 0.59 mg with ADP, epinephrine, collagen and calcium ionophore A 23187, respectively, and no inhibition with ristocetin. The inhibitory effect was dose dependent with concentrations varying between 0.14 and 0.70 mg and time dependent at IC50. Lipid peroxidation induced by iron--ascorbic acid system in platelet membranes was analysed with malondialdehyde (MDA) as an index. An increase in concentration of cardamom has decreased the MDA formation significantly. Hence, it may be said that aqueous extract of cardamom may have component(s), which protect platelets from aggregation and lipid peroxidation.

Preservation of alpha-tocopherol in sunflower oil by herbs and spices

The ability of some commercially available herb and spice extracts to preserve alpha-tocopherol in sunflower oil during heating at 85-105°C was assessed using sunflower oil as a model system. The Rancimat® was evaluated for the heating stage and was used throughout as it was shown to be viable: α-tocopherol did not evaporate under the test conditions. The delay in the onset of rancidity was found to be directly related to the initial α-tocopherol concentration (P < 0.01). Rosemary, thyme, turmeric, sage, oregano and cumin extracts (2000 mg.kg−1) delayed rancidity (P < 0.01) and preserved α-tocopherol (P < 0.01). Some preservation was observed with clove extract but coriander and cardamom extracts were pro-oxidants. With thyme extract, the log of the induction time (as an indicator of the delay in rancidity) was directly proportional to the temperature (85-100°C). The ethyl acetate, hexane and methanol extracts of fresh sage were effective for preserving α-tocopherol (P < 0.01). With thyme, rosemary and sage extracts, the increase in the preservation of α-tocopherol was directly related to the concentration of the herb extract (P < 0.01) and was quite effective even at 100 mg.kg−1. The increased delay in the onset of rancidity was due directly to the improved preservation of α-tocopherol (P < 0.01). In further experiments, the preservative effect of turmeric was shown not to be due to its reported major antioxidant, curcumin, even though it delayed rancidity. When herb/spice extracts were examined mixed with thyme, bay and turmeric showed synergism (P < 0.01) whereas bay alone was slightly inhibitory. The mode of action appeared to be due to free radical activity rather than through singlet oxygen generation.

Evaluation of Substrate Potentiality and Inhibitory Effects to Identify High Risk Spices for Aflatoxin Contamination

ABSTRACTGrowth and aflatoxin production by A. parasiticus (NRRL 2999) on autoclaved whole, ground and also surface sterilized black pepper, cardamom, red pepper, dry ginger and turmeric were studied. Cardamom did not support detectable fungal growth or aflatoxin production. Black pepper and turmeric appeared to be poor sub‐strates as they supported comparatively less fungal growth and afla‐toxin production. Red pepper and ginger were found to be better substrates for fungal growth as well as for aflatoxin production. Ether and chloroform extracts of cardamom and turmeric inhibited aflatoxin production almost completely. The inhibitory activity of cardamom oil and curcumin indicated that they might be the active principles.

Fermentation Enhancement by Spices: Identification of Active Component

Manganese was identified as a factor in spices responsible for the enhancement of acid production by meat starter bacteria. Stimulatory activity of 0.1N HCI extracts of spices increased with increasing Mn concentration. Extracts of clove, cardamom, ginger, celery seed, cinnamon, and turmeric, all with high Mn contents, were strongly stimulatory. Clove had the highest Mn content and exerted the greatest stimulatory effect. Spice extracts or standard Mn++ solutions enhanced acid production by Lactobacillus plantarum more than by Pediococcus acidilactici in a beef extract-sugar medium. Fermented sausages without spices but with added 1 × 10−5M Mn++ and those with spices developed a similar level of acidity.

Antimicrobial Substances from Seeds

One hundred and ninety-five extracts were prepared from 39 seeds of drug origin and screened in vitro against the following test organisms: Escherichia coli, Staphlococcus aureus, Serratia marcescens, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Candida albicans, Erwinia caratovora, and Streptomyces Venezuelae. The di-ethyl ether and acetone soluble fractions were found to possess greater antimicrobial activity than the ethyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, and water-soluble fractions. Sixteen of the 39 seeds were found to have no antimicrobial activity. Extracts of cardamom (green), tonka angostura, and celery were found to have antimicrobial activity on at least 6 of the 7 test organisms as well as against 12 additional microorganisms. Concentration of the extracts to less than one-half the original volume did not increase antimicrobial activity.