ANTI-CANCER ACTIVITY OF CUMINUM CYMINUM: A REVIEW.

Abstract

Jeeraka, commonly known as cumin (Cuminum cyminum Linn.) (Family: Umbelliferae), is a popular herbal plant in traditional ayurvedic medicine, which has since long used as antioxidant, gastric stimulant, anti-flatulence, anti-diarrheal, sprue, anthelmintic, galactagogue, diuretic, astringent, carminative. This plant is pharmacologically and clinically evaluated for various activities like antioxidant, aphrodisiac, antimicrobial, hepato-protective, and anti-inflammatory. It is promulgated to possess a wide range of many phytochemical constituents. The current review is presented to give a comprehensive account of all anti-cancer activities of cumin. It will be helpful to create interest towards cumin and may be useful in developing new and economical anti-cancer formulations with more therapeutic value. The part used of the selected plant is seed.

As per retrospective review cumin seed, its essential oil, ethanoic extract and 1­(2­Ethyl, 6­Heptyl) Phenol (EHP), a biologically active compound formerly extracted by benzene are found having anti-cancer activity against 13 different cell lines of various origins and 6 animal models. Also, it can be used as chemopreventive ingredient in the herbal anti-cancer formulation. Total 8 research articles, peer viewed research papers, abstracts and classical texts were reviewed.