515

Trachyspermum ammi Sprague Scientific Name: Trachyspermum ammi Sprague Synonym: Carumajowan, Ptychotisajowan, Trachyspermum copticum (L.); Carum copticum Family: Apiaceae Genus: Trachyspermum Species: ammi Common Name: Bishop's weed, Ajwain Parts Used: Whole plant, fruits (seeds), oil. Plant Description: Trachyspermum ammi is a profusely branched annual herb, 60-90 cm tall. Stem is striated; inflorescence compound umbel with 16 umbellets, each containing up to 16 flowers; flowers actinomorphic, white, male and bisexual; corolla 5, petals bilobed; stamens 5, alternating with the petals; ovary inferior; stigma knob-like; fruit aromatic, ovoid, cordate, cremocarp with a persistent stylopodium; leaves pinnate, with a terminal and 7 pairs of lateral leaflets. Fruit, consists of two mericarps, grayish brown, ovoid, compressed, about 2 mm long and 1.7 mm wide, 5 ridges and 6 vittae in each mericarp, usually separate, 5 primary ridges. Chemical Constituents: Ajwain seed analysis has revealed it to contain fiber (11.9%), carbohydrates (38.6%), tannins, glycosides, moisture (8.9%), protein (15.4%), fat (18.1%), saponins, flavone and mineral matter (7.1%) containing calcium, phosphorous, iron and nicotinic acid. Ajwain fruits yield 2% to 4% brownish essential oil, with thymol as the major constituent (35% to 60%). The nonthymol fraction (thymene) contains para-cymene, γ-terpenine, α- and β-pinenes, dipentene, α-terpinene, and carvacrol. Minute amounts of camphene, myrcene, and α-3-carene also have been found in the plant. Alcoholic extracts contain a highly hygroscopic saponin. From the fruits, an yellow, crystalline flavone and a steroid-like substance has been isolated and it also contains 6-O-β-glucopyranosyloxythymol, glucoside and yields 25% oleoresin containing 12% volatile oil (thymol, γ-terpinene, para-cymene, and α- and β-pinene). The principal oil constituents of T. ammi are carvone (46%), limonene (38%), and dillapiole (9%).

Chemical structures of bioactive compound found in Trachyspermum ammi Sprague

α-pinene, β-pinene Calcium

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Archibald_Spraguehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Archibald_Spraguehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Archibald_Sprague

516

Arabinose Chromium

Iso-thymol p-cymene Terpene

Sesquiterpinoides Cadinene Action of Herb: anti-microbial, hypolipidemic, digestive stimulant, anti-hypertensive, hepatoprotective, anti-spasmodic, broncho-dilating, anti-lithiasis, diuretic, abortifacient, galactogogic, anti-platelet aggregatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tussive, anti-filarial, gestro-protective, nematicidal, anthelmintic, detoxification of aflatoxins, and ameliorative effects. Therapeutic uses of T. ammi fruits include; stomachic, carminative, and expectorant, antiseptic and amoebiasis, antimicrobial. It relaxes spasms, improves digestion, increases perspiration, and is strongly antiseptic. Medicinal Uses: Internally it is used for earache, colds, coughs, influenza, asthma, diarrhea, cholera, colic, indigestion, wind, edema, arthritis, and rheumatism (fruits) and externally for vaginal discharge and rheumatism (fruits). Used mainly in Ayurvedic medicine as a stimulating decongestant for the respiratory and digestive systems. Oil is given to expel hookworms. Used in the treatment of kidney stones, and psoriasis. Contraindications: Pregnancy and hyperacidity Side Effects: nausea and headache. Its excess use may effects nervous system Dosage: 250 mg – 5 gm per day or 3 – 15 ml per day of a 1:3 @ 60% tincture. Incompatibilities with other medications: Taking ajowan seeds with the following drugs may increase the risk of bleeding and bruising: Abciximab, Antithrombin, Argatroban, Aspirin, Dipyridamole, Clopidogrel, Dalteparin, Danaparoid, Dipyridamole, Enoxaparin, Eptifibatide, Fondaparinux, Heparin, Indobufen, Lepirudin, Ticlopidine, Tinzaparin, Tirofiban,Warfarin.

517

Organoleptic Characteristics Table: Shows the organoleptic characteristics of T. ammi.

Moisture content and ash analysis

Table: Shows the moisture content and ash analysis of powder drug and crude methanol extract (M) of T. ammi.

Drug A B C D Powder ++ + + - Crude (M) ++ + + -

A=Moisture content; B= Ash content; C=Acid insoluble Ash; D=Water soluble ash

Physical characteristics analysis Table: Shows the physical characteristics analysis of extracts and fractionsT.ammi.

Extract/fraction

Physical characteristics analysis

Colour Consistency Smell Texture

M Mustard brown

Thick and sticky

Desirable Hard

E.A Pale brown Liquefied at room temp

Fragrant Syrupy

B Brownish Thick Fragrant Slightly harder

CHL Brownish yellow

thick and soft Slightly unpleasant

little brutal

H grayish black

- Fresh aroma

-

M = methanol; E.A = ethyle-acetate; B = butonol; CHL = chloroform; H = water. Chemical constituent analysis Following tests were performed to identify chemical constituents. a) Test for alkaloids b) Test for proteins c) Test for carbohydrates d) Test for saponins e) Test for flavonoides f) Test for sterols

Properties Crude drug

Texture Curved

External colour Grayish black

Internal marking Longitudinal

Shape Elongated

Size Small to medium sized pods

Fracture Visible

Taste and odour Sour and sweet smell

518

(g) Test for gums h) Test for steroids i) Test for ketones j) Test for tannins k) Test for triterpenes

Table: Shows the Chemical constituent analysis (type of class).

++++ = 100%, +++ =75%, ++ =50%, + =25% BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS ANALYSIS (In vitro studies) Antioxidant activity

Table: Antioxidant activity of T. ammi by DPPH radical scavenging assay. Extracts/fractions API% inhibition M 84 E.A 72 B 67.2 Chl 50 H - Ascorbic acid 92 DMSO - Ethanol -

API=Average percentage inhibition is based on three replicates. M = Methanol; E.A = Ethyl-acetate; B = Butanol; Chl = Chloroform; H = water; DMSO = Dimethyl sulfonyl oxide.

Chemical classes Occurrence chemical constituents in %

M EA B CH AQ

a) Triterpenes +++ +++ ++ + +

b) Alkaloids:

+ + + + +

c) Tannins I(Pb acetate) +++

++ + + +

II(Phenazone) +++ ++ + + +

d) Saponins + - - - +

e) Carbohydrates

+ + + + +

f) Sterols + + + + +

g) Proteins + + + - -

h) Flavanoides + + + + +

i) Gums + - - - -

j) Ketones _ _ _ _ _

k) Steroids ++ + + + _

519

Microscopic examination of Trachyspermum ammi L. The diagnostic features of T. ammi fruit are the epicarp which is composed of a layer of cells extending form characteristic protuberances of different size and shape; several fragments of vittae interlinked with the parenchyma and collenchyma of the mesocarp; sclereids layer within the mesocarp at the tip of the mesocarp; a single layer of fairly large, thin walled cells associated with testa was found present in endocarp; lignified fibro-vascular tissue; fibres; vessels; endosperm with aleurone grains and calcium oxalate crystals.

Figure microscopic features of T. ammi fruit. 1. Part of sclereid layer of mesocarp; 2. Endosperm containing calcium oxalate crystals; 3.Surface view of endocarp; 4.Epicarp with base of large protuberance surrounded by cells showing smaller protuberances; 5. Inside and oblique surface view of large; 6. Protuberances fragments; protuberances; 7.Surface view of epicarp with smaller protuberances; 8.Collenchyma of mesocarp with a fragment of vitta; 9a.Protuberances from top level of epicarp; 9b.Lower level of epicarp focused showing protuberances; 10.Detached protuberances; 11. End part of a vitta; 12. Transverse section of mericarp; 13. Fibro-vascular tissues.

Jackson BP, Snowdon DW. 2005. Atlas of microscopy of medicinal plants, culinary herbs and spices. CBS Publishers & Distributors (Pvt) Ltd.

Analgesic activity of T. ammi extract Analgesic activity of ethanolic extract of T. ammi was assessed using a Tail-flick analgesiometer and it revealed significant increase in tail-flick latency within 2 hours after the administration of drug. In another experimental study, formalin induced licking and biting was found reduced in hydrochloric T. ammi extract treated rats as compared with morphine sulphate in both early and late phases. In a randomized controlled placebo control clinical trial, it was found that essential oil of T. ammi significantly reduced the neuropathic feet burn. Anti-microbial activity Acetone and aqueous extract of T. ammi were assessed for anti-bacterial activity by using agar diffusion assay method on following bacterial strains: Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli,

520

Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella flexneri, and Staphylococcus aureus. It was found that acetone extract possessed more potent anti-bacterial activity as compared to aqueous extract. In other studies ethanolic and methanolic extracts also exhibited significant anti-bacterial activity. The essential oil extracted from T. ammi seeds exhibited significant fungicidal effect against two fungal strains Aspergillus niger and Curvularia ovoidea. Insecticidal Activity Volatile oil extracted from T. ammi was found to exhibit potent inhibition of egg hatching and development of Callosobruchus chinensis. Anthelmintic Activity Anthelmintic activity of T. ammi was assessed by evaluation of Haemonchus contortusin sheep and Ascaris lumbricoides in humans. Nematicidal activity Essential oils particularly thymol and carvacrol extracted from T. ammi were found to exhibit potent nematicidal activity against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus a pinewood nematode. Anti-platelet Activity Investigations on T. ammi seeds and its dried ethereal extract revealed anti-platelet activity. Anti-inflammatory Activity Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of T. ammi revealed significant anti-inflammatory activity invivo. Antitussive and Bronchodilatory Effects Two different concentrations of aqueous and macerated extracts of T. ammi seeds were assessed for anti-tussive and broncho-dilatory effects. Both the extracts were found to possess potent activity due to the presence of rich volatile oil content. Diuretic and Anti-lithiasis Activity A human study was performed to validate the ethno-pharmacological reports on T. ammi. A milk decoction was given orally to the volunteer patients suffering from renal stone problem for nine days. Anti-hyperlipidemic Activity In vivo study on T. ammi seeds revealed their anti-hyperlipidemic property by lowering of lipid profile parameters along with reducing atherogenic index and increasing the HDL- cholesterol level in albino rabbits. Anti-oxidant Activity Invivo investigation of T. ammi extract revealed its potent anti-oxidant and ameliorative effects against hexachlorocyclohexane induced oxidative stress and toxicity. Anti-viral Activity Methanolic extract of T. ammi in invitro assay revealed potent inhibition of Hepatitis C virus protease. Spermicidal Activity In vitro study of T. ammi essential oil exhibited significant spermicidal activity. Hepato-protective Effects Methanolic extract of T. ammi exhibited invivo hepato-protectitive effect against lethal dose of paracetamol in mice and carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity. Anti-ulcer Activity Ethanolic extract of T. ammi caused decrease in ulcer index in animals and revealed ulcer protection in all models as compared to the control group.

521

Anti-hypertensive and Anti-spasmodic Activity Aqueous-methanolic extract of T. ammi showed dose-dependent lowering of arterial blood pressure in anaesthetized animal models. Inhibition of potassium induced contractions was also observed in isolated rabbit aorta and jejunum preparations during the application of T. ammi extract. Digestive Stimulant Activity T. ammi may stimulate digestive activity by increasing the secretion of gastric acid, bile acids and digestive enzymes. Estrogenic Activity T. ammi possess second highest total phytoestrogen content. The dried extract of T. ammi seeds possesses 473ppm total phytoestrogen content. Toxicity and Tratogenicity T. ammi extract was reported to exhibit teratogenic effect in rat fetuses, so its use during pregnancy is contra-indicated. References Ahsan SK, Shah AH, Tanira MO, Ahmad MS, Tariq M, Ageel AM.1990.Studies on some herbal drugs used against

kidney stones in Saudi folk medicine. Fitoterapia;61:435–8. Anilakumar KR, Saritha V, Khanum F, Bawa AS. 2009. Ameliorative effect of ajwain extract on

hexachlorocyclohexane-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver. Food ChemToxicol;47:279–82. Ashraf M. 2002. Salt tolerance of cotton, some new advances.Crit Rev Plant Sci;2:1–30. Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Department of

Ayush.Part 1. 1999-2011;1:170–1. Bentely R, Trimen H. 1999. Medicinal Plants. New Delhi: Asiatic Publishing House: 107–15. Bonjar GH.2004. Anti-yeast activity of some plants used in traditional herbal-medicine of Iran. J BiolSci;4:212–5. Boskabady MH, Jandaghi P, Kiani S, Hasanzadeh L. 2005. Antitussive effect of Carumcopticum in guinea pigs. J

Ethnopharmacol;97:79–82. Caccioni DL, Guizzardi M, Biondi DM. 2000. Relationships between volatile components of citrus fruit essential oil

and antimicrobial action on Penicilliumdigitatum and Penicilliumitalicum.Int J Food Microbiol;88:170–5. Chialva F, Monguzzi F, Manitto P, Akgül A. 1993.Essential oil constituents of Trachyspermumcopticum (L.)Link

fruits. J Essent Oil Res;5:105–6. Choi IH, Shin SC, Park IK. 2007.Nematicidal activity of onion (Allium cepa) oil and its components against the

pine wood nematode (Bursaphelen chusxylophilus) Nematology;9:231–5. Chopra RN. 1982. Chopra's Indigenous Drug of India. 2nd ed. Calcutta: Academic Publishers: 93–4. Choudhury S, Riyazuddin A, Kanjilal PB, Leclercq PA. 1998. Composition of the seed oil of Trachyspermum ammi

(L.) Sprague from Northeast India. J Essent Oil Res;10:588–90. Choudhury S. 1998. Composition of the seed oil of Trachyspermum ammi (L.)Sprague from northeast India. J

Essent Oil Res;10:588–90. Brown D. 2001.Encylopedia of Herbs. Dorling Kindersley Li Garg SN, Kumar S. 1998. A new glucoside from Trachyspermum ammi.Fitoterapia.;6:511–2. Gilani AH, Jabeen Q, Ghayur MN, Janbaz KH, Akhtar MS. 2005.Studies on the antihypertensive, antispasmodic,

bronchodilator and hepatoprotective activities of the Carumcopticumseed extract. Journal of Ethnopharmacol;98:127–35.

Ishikawah T, Sega Y, Kitajima J. 2001. Water-soluble constituents of ajowan.Chem Pharm Bull;49:840–4. Jabbar A, Iqbal Z, Khan MN.2006. In vitro anthelmintic activity of Trachyspermum ammi seeds.Pharmacogn

Mag;2:126–9. Javed IM, Akhtar T, Khaliq MZ, Khan G, Muhammad M. 2002.Antihyperlipidaemic effect of Trachyspermum

ammi (Ajwain) in rabbits. In: Faisalabad: Proc 33rd All Pakistan Science Conference University of Agriculture:80–1.

Joshi SG. 2000. Medicinal Plants. New Delhi, India: Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd: 47. Joy PP, Thomas J, Mathew S, Jose G, Joseph J. 2001. Aromatic plants. In: Bose TK, Kabir J, Das P, Joy PP,

editors. Tropical Horticulture. Calcutta: NayaProkash; 2: 633–733. Kaur H. 1998. Estrogenic activity of some herbal galactogogue constituents. Indian J AnimNutr;15:232–4.

522

Khanuja SP. 1979. Formulation Comprising Thymol useful in the Treatment of Drug Resistance Bacterial infection, CCIR, New Delhi, United states patent no US 6,824,795 b2. 2004Singh DB, Singh SP, Gupta RC. Anti-fungal effect of volatiles from seeds of some Umbelliferae. Trans Br MycolSoc;73:349–50.

Kong J, Lee SM, Moon YS, Lee SG, Ahn YJ.2006.Nematicidal activity of plant essential oils against Bursaphelen chusxylophilus. J Asia Pac Entomol;9:173–8.

Kostyukovsky M, Rafaeli A, Gileadi C, Demchenko N, Shaaya E. 2002. Activation of octopaminergic receptors by essential oil constituents isolated from aromatic plants: Possible mode of action against insect pests. Pest Manage Sci;58:1101–6.

Krishnamoorthy V, Madalageri MB.1999. Bishop weeds (Trachyspermum ammi): An essential crop for north Karnatka. J Med Aromat Plant Sci;21:996–8.

Kumari KS, Prameela M. 1992. Effect of incorporating Carum copticum seeds in a high fat diet for albino rats. Med Sci Res;20:219–20.

Kwon Park Il, Junheon K, Sang-Gil L. 2007. Nematicidal Activity of Plant Essential Oils and Components From Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), Allspice (Pimentadioica) and Litsea (Litseacubeba) Essential Oils Against Pine Wood Nematode (Bursaphelenchusxylophilus) J Nematol;39:275–9.

Mathew N, Bhattacharya SM, Perumal V, Muthuswamy K. 2008. Antifilarial Lead Molecules Isolated from Trachyspermum ammi. Molecules;13:2156–68.

Munns R. 2002. Comparative physiology of salt and water stress. Plant Cell Environ;25:239–50. Murthy PS, Borse BB, Khanum H, Srinivas P. 2009. Inhibitory effects of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) ethanolic

extract on A. ochraceus growth and ochratoxin production. Turk J Biol;33:211–7. Nagalakshmi S, Shankaracharya NB, Naik JP, Rao LJM. 2000. Studies on chemical and technological aspects of

ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi syn. Carum copticum) J Food SciTechnol;37:277–81. Nath D, Sethi N, Srivastav S, Jain AK, Srivastava R. 1997. Survey on indigenous medicinal plants used for abortion

in some districts of Uttar Pradesh. Fitoterapia;68:223–5. Pelczar MJ, Chan EC, Krieg NR. 1988. Control of microorganism by physical agents, in microbiology. New York:

Mcgraw Hill International: 469–509. Platel K, Srinivasan K. 2001. Studies on the influence of dietary spices on food transit time in experimental rats.

Nutr Res;21:1309–14. Priestley CM, Williamson EM, Wafford KA, Sattelle DB. 2003. Thymol, a constituent of thyme essential oil, is a

positive allosteric modulator of human GABAA receptors and a homooligomeric GABA receptor from Drosophila melanogaster. Br J Pharmacol;40:1363–72.

Pruthi JS. 1992. Spices and Condiments. 4th edition. New Delhi: National Book Trust. Ramaswamy S, Sengottuvelu S, Sherief S Haja, Jaikumar S, Saravanan R, Prasadkumar C. 2010. Gastroprotective

Activity OfEthanolic Extract OfTrachyspermum ammi Fruit. Int J Pharm Biosci;1:1–15. Saxena AP, Vyas KM. 1986. Antimicrobial activity of seeds of some ethnomedicinal plants. J Econ Taxonomic

Bot;8:291–300. Shome U, Rawat AK, Mehrotra S. 1996.Time–tested household herbal remedies. In: Jain SK, editor. Ethnobiology

in human welfare. New Delhi, India: Deep Publications: 96–100. Singh G, Maurya S, Catalan C. 2004. Chemical, antifungal, antioxidative studies of Ajwain oil and its acetone

extract. J Agric Food Chem;52:3292–6. Singh I, Singh VP. 2000. Antifungal properties of aqueous and organic extracts of seed plants against Aspergillus

flavus and A. niger. Phytomorphology;20:151–7. Singh VK, Singh S, Singh DK. 2003. Phytochemistry Pharmacology. Houston, Texas, USA: Stadium Press.

Pharmacological effects of spices. In Recent Progress in Medicinal Plants; 2: 321–53. Sivropoulou A, Papanikolaou E, Nilolaou C, Kokkini S, Lanaras T, Arsenakis M. 1996. Antimicrobial and cytotoxic

activities of origanum essential oils. J Agric Food Chem;44:1202–5. Srivastava KC. 1988. Extract of a spice Omum (Trachyspermum ammi) shows antiaggregatory effects and alters

arachidonic acid metabolism in human platelets. Prostaglandins LeukotEssent Fatty Acids;33:1–6. Tamurab T, Iwamoto H. 2004. Thymol: A classical small molecule compound that has a dual effect (potentiating

and inhibitory) on myosin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun;18:786–91. Thangam C, Dhananjayan R. 2003. Antiinflammatory Potential ofthe Seeds of Carum copticum Linn. Indian J

Pharmacol;35:388–91. The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD

Copyright©2007 by Barry Fox,PhD :28-29. Anonymous. 1976. The Wealth of India, A dictionary of Indian Raw Materials and Industrial Products Publications

and Information Directorate. Vol. 21. New Delhi: CSIR.

523

Umadevi I, Daniel M. 1990.Phenolics of some fruit spices of the Apiaceae. NatlAcadSciLett;13:439–41. Vasudevan K, Vembar S, Veeraraghavan K, Haranath PS. 2000. Influence of intra gastric perfusion of aqueous spice

extracts on acid secretion in anesthetized albino rats. Indian J Gastroenterol;19:53–6. Vedavathy S, Rao DN. 1995.Herbal folk medicine of Tirumala and Tirupati region of Chittoor district, Andhra

Pradesh.Fitoterapia;66:167–71. Velazhahan R, Vijayanandraj S, Vijayasamundeeswari A, Paranidharan V, Samiyappan R, Iwamoto T. 2010.

Detoxification of aflatoxins by seed extracts of the medicinal plant, Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague ex Turrill Structural analysis and biological toxicity of degradation product of aflatoxin G1. Food Control;21:719–25.

Wright DJ. 1981. Nematicides: Mode of action and new approaches to chemical control. In: Zukerman, Rhode, editors. Plant Parasitic Nematodes. New York: Academic Press; 3: 421–49.