Saed Daneshmandi, Neda Soleimani, Ali Akbar Pourfathollah, Morteza Sattari,
Volume 13, Issue 2 (6-2010)
Abstract
Background: Microbial infections are important challenges to health, and health care officials have major difficulties dealing with them especially regarding their antibiotic resistance. The main aim of this study was to evaluate drug synergistic and anti-bacterial effects of cuminum cyminum essential oil on some pathogen bacteria. Materials and Methods: Cuminum cyminum essential oil was extracted from its fruit. For evaluation of antibacterial effects of the essential oil, disc diffusion method through the measurement of the inhibitory zone diameter and micro-broth dilution for determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) on several standard bacteria were used. In evaluation of the synergistic and antagonistic effects, standard bacteria were cultured in the media containing essential oil, and antibiotic discs were, then, placed on it. Results: According to the results of disc diffusion test in Agar, cuminum cyminum essential oil, with a 44 mm inhibition zone, had the greatest antibacterial activity against bacillus cereus. It had the greatest positive co-action with gentamicin (10 µg) on escherichia coli. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that cuminum cyminum essential oil alone or in combination with antimicrobial agents may be useful in treatment of bacterial infections. Additionally, this component can enhance the effect of some antibiotics this implies its application, especially in drug resistance cases.
Neda Soleimani, Saeed Daneshmandi, Morteza Sattari, Ali Akbar Pourfathollah,
Volume 13, Issue 4 (1-2011)
Abstract
Background: Correct use of cuminum cyminum and finding its different applications in medicine and industry necessitates a more clear understanding of this medicinal plant. This study deals with identifying the effects of the essential oil of this herbal plant on macrophages and tumor cell lines. Materials and Methods:Cuminum cyminum essential oil was extracted from its fruit, and its effects on peritoneal macrophages and LPS stimulated macrophages were examined. MTT assay was done for evaluation of macrophages viability and the amount of nitric oxide (NO) in culture supernant was measured by Griess Reagent. WEHI-164 mice fibrosarcoma cell line was cultured with different concentrations of cuminum cyminum and cytotoxicity level was evaluated by MTT assay. Results: The viability of macrophages and also, the amount of NO production in 50 and 500 μg/ml cuminum cyminum essential oil was lower than that of the control group (p<0.001). MTT assay showed that cuminum cyminum essential oil in 50 and 500 μg/ml concentrations significantly inhibits tumor cells growth (p<0.001). Conclusion: Cuminum cyminum essential oil by having immune-modulatory properties can be used in treatment of many inflammatory and immunologic disorders. Also, it can be used as a therapeutic or complementary agent in tumor therapy.
