Effects of dietary supplementation of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) essential oil on expression of genes related to antioxidant, apoptosis, detoxification, and heat shock mechanism in heat-stressed broiler chickens.

This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of cumin essential oil (CEO) supplementation on levels of certain gene expression related to antioxidant, apoptotic, detoxific, and heat shock mechanisms in the breast meat and ileum of heat-stressed broilers. The study was conducted on a 2 × 6 factorial design (heat stress + feed additive) on 600 day-old male broiler chicks for a period of 42 days. From day 7 to 42, although broilers in heat stress groups (HT) were exposed to constant chronic heat stress (36 °C), others were housed at thermoneutral ambient temperature (TN). The chicks in both conditions were fed with 6 experimental diets: C0 (basal diet with no additive), ANTIB (basal diet + 100 mg/kg chloramphenicol), VITE (basal diet + 50 IU α-tocopherol), C2 (basal diet + 200 mg/kg CEO), C4 (basal diet + 400 mg/kg CEO), C6 (basal diet+ 600 mg/kg CEO). The results showed that heat stress upregulated (except for Bcl-2) the genes related to antioxidant, apoptosis, detoxification, and heat shock mechanism. However, cumin essential oil increased the dose-dependently positive effect on certain genes in tissues of the heat-stressed broilers and downregulated (except for Bcl-2) these genes.

A nanotechnology-based new approach in the treatment of breast cancer: Biosynthesized silver nanoparticles using Cuminum cyminum L. seed extract.

The present study reports the anticancer activities of Cuminum cyminum L. (Cumin) seed extract, chemically synthetized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (Bio-AgNPs) from Cumin seeds on human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and human breast adenocarcinoma metastatic cell line (AU565). The synthetized nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The cytotoxic and anticancer effects of AgNPs and Bio-AgNPs were determined by MTT assay. According to the cytotoxicity analysis, Bio-AgNPs appears to be less toxic against J774 macrophage cells than AgNPs since IC50 values were measured as 0.75 and 1.25 µg/ml for AgNPs and Bio-AgNPs, respectively. On the other hand, Bio-AgNPs demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on human breast cancer cells at non-toxic concentrations such as 0.25 and 0.5 µg/ml. However, at increased concentrations, the lethal effects of AgNPs on breast cancer cells were higher than Bio-AgNPs. When cytotoxic and anticancer characteristics of Cumin extract were investigated, it was established that it did not show any inhibitory effect on J774 cells, while killing the half of MCF-7 cells at investigated concentrations. Interestingly, Cumin extract gave rise to no inhibitory effects against AU565 cells. On the other hand, AgNPs and Bio-AgNPs exhibited considerable anticancer activities on both cell lines. The inhibition percentages of AgNPs on MCF-7 and AU565 cell lines were respectively evaluated as 95% and 97% at the highest concentrations applied (12.5 µg/ml). Similarly, we determined that 87.5% and 96% of MCF-7 and AU565 cells were respectively inhibited when they were exposed to the highest concentrations of Bio-AgNPs. Considering relatively toxic-free features of Bio-AgNPs prepared from Cuminum cyminum L. seed extracts, it can be thought that this formulation will be a pioneer in development of nanotechnology-based new anticancer drug for the treatment of breast cancer in near future.

Isolation, structural elucidation and immuno-stimulatory properties of polysaccharides from Cuminum cyminum.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of water-soluble polysaccharides from Cuminum cyminum to induce inflammatory response in immune cells and understand their underlying mechanisms. Weight average molecular weight (Mw) of polysaccharides varied between 191.4-512.2 × 103 g/mol. Polysaccharides induced RAW264.7 cells to release nitric oxide and express TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-12 inflammatory cytokines. Polysaccharides activated NK-92 cells to produce TNF-α, IFN-γ, perforin, granzyme B, NKG2D and FasL. Activations of RAW264.7 and NK-92 cells were through NF-κB and MAPKs signal pathways indicated by the presence of phosphorylated NF-κB, ERK, JNK and p38 proteins. The polysaccharide structure was mainly constituted of →4)-Galp-(1→, →3)-Galp-(1→, →2)-Arap-(1→ and →2)-Arap-(1→ glycosidic linkages. Overall results suggested that polysaccharides from C. cyminum possessing lower MW and greater expanded conformation more effectively stimulate RAW264.7 and NK-92 cells and thus could be considered for further studies on their biomedical applications.

Yield, growth and Fe uptake of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) affected by Fe-nano, Fe-chelated and Fe-siderophore fertilization in the calcareous soils.

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) from the Apiaceae family and as an important medicinal plant is greatly used for food production and medicinal purposes. The plant requires macro- and micro-nutrients including iron (Fe), which is not available under calcareous conditions. Accordingly, it was hypothesized the proper source (including the new methods of fertilization) and concentration of Fe can provide cumin with its required amounts of Fe under calcareous soils. The objectives were to determine: 1) the most efficient source of Fe fertilization (by spraying) on cumin yield and Fe uptake, and 2) the most optimum Fe concentration for cumin growth, yield production and seed fortification. A field experiment, as a completely randomized block design, with three replicates was conducted in the city of Aligudarz, Lorestan province, Iran. The cumin plants were sprayed twice during the season, before and after flowering (with a 10 day interval) according to the manufacturing Company. Three different types of Fe fertilization including Fe-nano-chelated (Fe-N), Fe-chelated (Fe-C) and Fe-siderophore (Fe-S) with the concentrations of 0 (control), 0.5 and 1 g/l were used for the experiment. Different plant parameters including grain Fe, crop yield, weight of 1000 grains, grain length, root length and stem length were determined. The highest yield of single plant was resulted by Fe-N1 (250 mg). Fe-N1 (3.8 g) and Fe-C1 (4.0 g) resulted in the highest weight of 1000 grains. However, the highest Fe concentration was related to treatment Fe-S1 (9.4 mg/kg). Plants treated with Fe-N (24.9 cm) and Fe-C (25.0 cm) treatments had the highest plant height. The highest root length was resulted by the Fe-N (8.9 cm) and Fe-C (9.1 cm) treatments. The control treatment resulted in the highest rate of root length/stem length (0.41). Treating the plants with Fe-C treatments resulted in the highest and significantly different grain length (6.8 mm). The concentration of 1 g/l of nano, chelated and siderophores were the most effective, significantly enhancing cumin yield and grain fortification. The results indicated the significant effects of Fe-N on plant yield and Fe uptake followed by the Fe-C method. The findings of this research work indicated that the Fe-N and the Fe-C methods were the most efficient methods enhancing cumin growth and yield. However, the most efficient method for seed fortification was the Fe-S method. The findings are of great nutritional, environmental and economical significance.

Protein Profiling of Non-model Plant Cuminum cyminum by Gel-Based Proteomic Approach.

INTRODUCTION: Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), a popular spice has been widely used in traditional medicine to cure various ailments. Despite the existence of scientific literature about its pharmacological properties, no successful proteome profiling has yet been attempted. OBJECTIVE: To optimise extraction of cumin proteins and analyse its profile by shotgun proteomics, using one-dimensional electrophoresis coupled with nano-ESI-LC-MS/MS. METHODOLOGY: As a first step, we have compared three extraction protocols for total proteins extraction from cumin. Extracted proteins were separated on one-dimensional gel and analysed by state-of-the-art linear ion trap (LTQ)-Orbitrap Velose and Q Exactive HF mass spectrometer. RESULTS: Evaluation of extraction method revealed significant differences in protein yield and proteome composition between the three extracts. LC-MS/MS allowed identification of several proteins with functional significance in various biological processes. CONCLUSION: This study provides identification of a large number of proteins and offers a molecular basis for future research on potential pharmacologically active cumin proteins. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Physio-Biochemical Composition and Untargeted Metabolomics of Cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) Make It Promising Functional Food and Help in Mitigating Salinity Stress.

Cumin is an annual, aromatic, herbaceous, medicinal, spice plant, most widely used as a food additive and flavoring agent in different cuisines. The study is intended to comprehensively analyse physiological parameters, biochemical composition and metabolites under salinity stress. Seed germination index, rate of seed emergence, rate of seed germination, mean germination time, plant biomass, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents decreased concomitantly with salinity. In contrast, total antioxidant activity, H2O2, proline and MDA contents increased concurrently with stress treatments. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were decreased initially about 1.4-fold at 50 mM, and thereafter increased about 1.2-fold at 100 mM NaCl stress. Relative water content remained unchanged up to 50 mM NaCl stress, and thereafter decreased significantly. About 2.8-fold electrolyte leakage was found in 50 mM, which increases further 4-fold at 100 mM NaCl stress. Saturated fatty acids (FAs) increased gradually with salinity, whereas unsaturation index and degree of unsaturation change arbitrarily along with the percent quantity of unsaturated FAs. Total lipid and fatty acid composition were significantly influenced by salinity stress. A total of 45 differentially expressed metabolites were identified, including luteolin, salvianolic acid, kaempferol and quercetin, which are phenolic, flavonoid or alkaloids in nature and contain antioxidant activities. Additionally, metabolites with bioactivity such as anticancerous (docetaxel) and antimicrobial (megalomicin) properties were also identified. The study evidenced that plant shoots are a rich source of metabolites, essential amino acids, phenolic compounds and fatty acids, which unveil the medicinal potential of this plant, and also provide useful insight about metabolic responses under salinity stress.

Water-deficit impact on fatty acid and essential oil composition and antioxidant activities of cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) aerial parts.

This study is designed to examine the effect of water deficit on growth, fatty acid and essential oil composition, and antioxidant activities of Cuminum cyminum aerial part extracts. Plants were treated with different levels of water deficit: control (C), moderate water deficit (MWD), and severe water deficit (SWD). Plant growth (height, fresh and dry matter weights) as well as yield components were significantly increased under moderate water deficit and conversely reduced at severe level. Total fatty acid content decreased significantly with severity of constraint. Drought reduced considerably the proportions of major fatty acids and the unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio. The essential oil yield was 0.14% (based on the dry weight); it increased by 2.21-fold at MWD but decreased by 42.8% under SWD in comparison to the control. Drought results in the modification of the essential oil chemotype from 1-phenyl-1-butanol to 1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol. Antioxidant activities of the acetone extracts were determined by two complementary test systems, namely, DPPH and ß-carotene/linoleic acid. The highest activity was exhibited by moderately stressed plants and was reduced significantly under SWD. In control plants, the total phenolic amount was 10.23 mg GAE/g DW, which increased by 1.5-fold under MWD and decreased by 42% under SWD.

RP-HPLC analysis of Jirakadyarishta and chemical changes during fermentation.

Jirakadyarishta, an Ayurvedic formulation prepared by the fermentation of a decoction of Cuminum cyminum (seeds) is traditionally used for intestinal disorders. RP-HPLC analysis of the decoction and the final processed formulation revealed that apigenin-7-O-[galacturonide (1 --> 4)-O-glucoside] and luteolin-4'-O-glucoside-7-O-galacturonide) were the two major constituents of the decoction of C. cyminum. Selective hydrolysis of 7-O-glucosides of luteolin and apigenin during fermentation resulted in an increase in the amount of luteolin and apigenin. The 4'-O-glucoside-7-O-galacturonide of luteolin and galacturonide derivative of apigenin were not hydrolyzed during fermentation. Monomeric phenolics, together with 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (5-HMF), were also introduced into the formulation through the jaggery and other plant materials during fermentation. This communication highlights the importance of the ancient processing methods used in Ayurveda.