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Family Apiaceae
Damoro
Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague
BISHOP'S WEED

Xiang zhu la jiao

Scientific names Common names
Amni copticum L. Damoro (Pamp., Tag.)
Amni glaucifolium Blanco Lamudio (Bik., Tag.)
Amnios muricata Moench Ajawa seeds (Engl.)
Athamanta ajowan Wall. Ajowan caraway (Engl.)
Bunium copticum (L.) Spreng. Bishop's weed (Engl.)
Carum ajowan Benth. & Hook.f. Carom (Engl.)
Carum aromaticum Druce Thymol seeds (Engl.)
Carum copticum (L.) Benth & Hook.f. ex C. B. Clarke.  
Carum copticum (L.) Benth. & Hook.f.  
Carum panatjan Baill.  
Cyclospermum ammi (L.) Lag.  
Daucus anisodorus Blanco  
Daucus copticus (L.) Lam.  
Daucus copticus (L.) Pers.  
Helosciadium ammi (L.) Oken  
Ptychotis coptica (L.) DC.  
Sison amni Linn.  
Trachyspermum amni (L.) Sprague  
Trachyspermum copticum (L.) Link  
Carum copticum (L.) Benth. & Hook.f. ex C.B.Clarke is a synonym of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague The Plant List
Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague is an accepted name The Plant List

Other vernacular names Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague ex Turrill
ARABIC: Ajwân, Anîsûn barrî, Kammûn hhabashî, Kamun al muluki, Nakhwah, Taleb el koubs.
ASSAMESE: Jain, Joan, Joni-guti.
BENGALI: Jowan, Javan, Juvani, Yavani, Yamani.
BULGARIAN: Ажгон Azhgon.
CHINESE: Yin du zang hui xiang, Xi ye cao guo qin, Xiang zhu la jiao.
CZECH: Adžvajen.
DUTCH: Ajowan
ESTONIAN: Lõhnav karusköömen
FINNISH: Koptilainen kumina
FRENCH: Ajouan, Ajowan , Ammi, Ammi de l'Inde, Anis de l'Inde, Sison.
GERMAN : Adiowan, Ajowan, Ägyptischer Kümmel, Herrenkümmel, Indischer Kümmel, Königskümmel.
GUJARATI: Ajamo, Yavan, Jawain.
HINDI: Ajawa, Ajmud, Ajowan, Ajawan, Ajwain, Ajavayan, Carom, Randhuni, Javain.
HUNGARIAN: Ajovan
ITALIAN: Ajowan (Katz), Ammi, Sisone.
JAPANESE: Ajowan.
KANNADA: Ajamodhavoma, Oma omakki, Omu
MALAY: Jintan
MALAYALAM: Ayamodakam, Omam.
MARATHI: Ova, Owa, Vova.
NEPALESE: Agnimanthaa, Jvaanuu.
ORIYA: Juani.
PERSIAN: Zenyân, Nanavva.
POLISH: Adżwan, Ajowan, Kminek koptyjsk.i
PORTUGUESE: Orégano-semente, Semente-de-orégano, Ajowan.
PUNJABI: Aijvain, Ajvain, Ajowan, Javain.
RUSSIAN: Aiova, Azhgon.
SANSKRIT: Ajamoda, Ajamoda, Ajamodika, Yavanaka, Yavaanika, Yavani, Yawani,Deepyaka.
SINHALESE: Asamodagam, Assamodum.
SPANISH: Ajowan, Ayowan.
TAMIL: Asamtavomam, Asampadam, Amam, Omam.
TELUGU: Ajumoda, Omamu, Vamu, Vayu.
THAI: Phak chi.
TURKISH: Emmus, Mısır anason , Mısır anisonu.
URDU: Ajwain, Buranikataya.

Botany
Damoro is an erect, annual herb growing from 30 to 90 centimeters high. Leaves are rather distant, 2- or 3-pinnate; the ultimate segments are linear; and 1.2 to 2.5 centimeters long. Flowers are white and grow in compound umbels. Seed-like fruit is very small, ovoid, hispid and ribbed.

Distribution
- Introduced.
- Occasionally cultivated in Batangas and neighboring provinces and in Manila.
- Native of India.

- Cultivated as a spice crop.

Constituents
- Plant yields a volatile oil, 0.12%; some phellandrene; about 1 % thymol.
- Fruit contains a volatile oil, 3 to 4 %; with 45 to 55 percent thymol; p-cymol, 1%.

- Seeds contain an aromatic volatile essential oil and crystalline substance called stearoptene, a crude thymol.
- Seed analysis yielded 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, phosphorus, iron and nicotonic acid. (21)
- Fruits yield 2% to 4% brownish essential oil, with thymol as the major constituent (35% to 60%). The non-thymol fraction (thymene) contains prar-cymene, y-terpenine, α-and ß--pinenes,dipentene, α-terpenine and carvacrol. (21)
- Study of seed essential oil by hydrodistillation by GC and GC/MS analysis yielded total volatiles (2.3% w/w) with 44 compounds representing 91.6% of aerial parts oil identified. Oil main components were hexadecanoic acid (27.5%), ethyl linoleate (8.5%), 6-methyl-α-ionone (8.0%), isobutyl phthalate (5.8%), α -cadinol (4.7%), germacrene D (4.3%), and δ -cadinene3 (3.5%). (see study below) (26)
- GC-MS analysis of seed extract yielded a total of nine compounds. The major bioactive compounds were 3,5-dimethylanisole (83.19%), 6-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, (Z)-, 7-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester (7.42%), and 2-cyclohexyl-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione, 4-oxime (3.01%). (41)

Properties
- Seed-like fruits are pale brown schizocarps, resembling seeds of plants in the Apiaceae family, such as caraway, cumin, and fennel. The taste is bitter and pungent, with a flavor akin to anise or oregano. The smell is that of thyme, because of the thymol content, more aromatic and less subtle in taste. A small number of fruits can dominate a dish. (48)
- Seeds are considered antispasmodic, bactericidal, anticholinergic, stimulant, tonic, carminative.
- Considered antiseptic.
- Studies have shown antimicrobial, antifungal, antihypertensive, hypolipidemmic, antispasmodic, bronchodilatory, diuretic, hepatoprotective, abortifacient, antitussive, anthelmintic, analgesic, fumigant, nematicidal, antifilarial, antidiarrheal, anti-giardia, antitussive, cholinomimetic, antifertility, antiepileptic, antiviral, anti-platelet aggregating properties.

Parts used
Seeds, fruit.

Uses

Edibility
- Leaves and seeds are edible.
- Seed-like fruits are commonly dry-roasted or fried in ghee (clarified butter). (48)
- In India, widely used as a spice in curries and soups.
- Often mixed with other ingredients and spices.
- Seeds used in the flavoring of bread, biscuits, confectionery, beverages.
- Seeds generally crushed and added at the final stages of food preparation to avoid evaporation of essential oils and to preserve fragrance and flavor. (37)
Folkloric
- Fruit used with "buyo" for chewing for a carminative effect.
- Seeds used for flatulence, atonic dyspepsia, diarrhea; often recommended for cholera, usually used with asafoetida, myrobalans and rock salt.
- Decoction used for discharges, sometimes used as a lotion.
- Decoction of seeds a common ingredient of cough mixtures.
- As topical remedy, used with astringents for sore throats.
- During the 1st World War, sought after for its thymol content, which is considered antiseptic.
- In India, used for flatulence, dyspepsia, intestinal colic. Also, used to stimulate the appetite, for diarrhea, and as a gargle for laryngitis.
- In southern parts of India, seeds are powdered and soaked in milk, filtered and fed to babies for colic and to help digestion.
- Used by nursing mothers to increase milk flow. Antispasmodic use of the seeds for menstrual cramps.
- In Ayurvedic medicine used as antiseptic, as well as for respiratory and GI ailments. In Unani medicine, used as enhancer of body's resistance. (21) Leaves used for treatment of helminthiasis. (59)
- In Iranian traditional medicine, considered an aphrodisiac agent. (34)
- Ajowan is an important ingredient in many ayurvedic formulations used for cough, tonsillitis, digestive ailments, urticaria, helminthiasis. Roots used as diuretic, febrifuge, carminative. Used for treatment of piles, abdominal pains and abdominal tumors. Also used as galactagogue: seeds are fried in oil and and made into thin soup. (37)
Others
- Cosmetics:
Fruit used as fragrance in cosmetics.
- Ethnovet:
Leaf juice use for helmintic infestations in animals. (37)


Studies
Antimicrobial:
In a screening of plants used in the Ayurvedic system in India to treat enteric diseases, the methanol extract of Carum copticum showed moderate antimicrobial activity against multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi. (1)
Antihypertensive / Antispasmodic / Bronchodilator / Hepatoprotective: Study of seed extract of Carum copticum caused a dose-dependent fall in arterial blood pressure in anesthetized rats. It showed a calcium channel blocking effect confirming the presence of calcium antagonists. In Isolated guinea-pig tracheal preparations, it caused inhibition of induced-bronchoconstriction. It prevented CCl4-induced prolongation in pentobarbital-induced sleeping time confirming hepatoprotectivity. (2)
Antinociceptive: Study showed CC fruit extract had antinociceptive effects, more on the late phase than early phase. (3)
Analgesic: Study Study showed clear-cut analgesic effect. The positive results in analgesiometric testing indicate the antinociceptive action of Carum copticum may be of the opioid type.
Protease Activity: As digestive aid to humans, study showed Carum copticum was effective in the stomach and small intestine, while Allium sepa was effective only in the small intestine (4).
Fumigant Activity: In a study comparing the fumigant activity of essential oil vapors distilled from C. copticum and Vitex pseudo-negundo tested against eggs, larvae and adults of Callosobruchus maculatus, CC was almost more toxic than VPN on all growth stages of C maculatus. Results suggest the essential oils may be potential grain protectants as botanical alternative fumigants. (5)
Anti-Inflammatory / Seeds: Study showed the total alcoholic extract and total aqueous extract of the seeds of Carum copticum exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity in both rat models of carrageenan induced paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma. (6)
Anti-Tussive Effect: Study showed antitussive effects of Carum copticum to be even greater than that of codeine at concentrations used. The effect was not due to its main constituent, carvacrol. (8)
Bronchodilator Effect: Study of boiled extract from Caricum copticum showed a bronchodilator effect on asthmatic airways which was comparable to the effect of theophylline. (10)
Cholinomimetic Effect: Study of aqueous extract from roasted seeds of Carum copticum showed cholinomimetic effects, with muscarinic effects on rabbit duodenum, guinea-pig ileum and rat jejunum, and on blood pressure of rat and cat. Chromatography studies showed the presence of acetylcholine and choline in the roasted seed extract. (11)
Inhibition of Acetylcholine-Induced Ileal Contraction: Study showed an aqueous extract of Carum copticum reduces basal contractile activity of rat's ileum, reduced acetylcholine induced contraction. (13)
Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effect: Study of Trachyspermum ammi (Ajowain) extracts in albino rats showed the methanol and petroleum ether extracts to have a hypolipidemic effect in albino rabbits, with the PEE showing greater potency than the methanol extract with also greater reduction of atherogenic index. (14)
Study evaluated the antihyperlipidemic efficacy of T. ammi seed powder in albino rabbits, induced by butter ad libitum and oral intubation of cholesterol 400 mg/kbw. Results showed that 2 g/kg T. ammi seed powder produced hypolipidemic activity, with 49%, 53%, 71%, and 63% reduction in total lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. The lipid lowering mechanism may involve enhanced removal or catabolism of lipoproteins, inhibition of HMG-COA reductase, and/or inhibition of lysosomal lipid hydrolytic enzymes secreted by the liver. (35)
Anti-Fertility Effects: Study of ethanolic extract of Trachyspermum ammi fruits showed significant dose-dependent anti-fertility effects in male rats. Results suggest a potential for a male contraceptive formulation. (15)
Antifungal / Essential Oil: Study of essential oil from fruits of Trachyspermum ammi exhibited cidal toxicity against Aspergillus flavus and A. niger. Thymol and p-cymene were isolated as antifungal principles. (16)
Antidiarrheal / Seeds: Study investigated a 95% total alcoholic extract and total aqueous extract of seeds for antidiarrheal activity in experimentally in male Wistar rats. Results showed significant decrease in diarrheal droppings in castor oil diarrhea, decreased in transit of charcoal meal, and reduction in enteropooling. Results suggest seed extracts could be used for diarrhea treatment. (18)
Essential Oil as Natural Antioxidant in Dressings: Study showed all concentrations of essential oils were suitable antioxidants for preserving of dressing against oxidation. Synthetic antioxidants like BHA and BHT can be substituted with EO if used in higher concentrations. (19)
Anti-Giardia Activity: Giardiasis, a widespread small intestine parasitic infection, is one of the main causes of human diarrhea. Study evaluated the in vitro effects of an alcoholic extract of essential oil on Giardia lamblia. Results showed C. copticum is effective in vitro against Giardia lamblia cysts. (20)
Inhibition of Platelet Aggregation: In vitro study with human platelets showed inhibition of arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation by bishop's weed extract. The activity was attributed to redirection of arachidonic acid from the cyclooxygenase to the lipooxygenase pathway, with reduction of thromboxane B2 formation. (21) (22)
Anthelmintic / Seeds: Study evaluated the anthelmintic activities of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of seeds against adult earthworm Pheretima posthuma. All extracts showed anthelmintic activity at all concentrations, comparable to standard drug albendazole. (23)
Anti-Inflammatory / Antioxidant / Seeds / Collagen Induced Arthritis: Study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of T. ammi seeds on collagen induced arthritis in Wistar rats. Treatment with T. ammi reversed all parameters suggesting either termination of cellular infiltration or limitation of oxidant generation following CIA in rats and potential in the treatment of anti-inflammatory diseases. (24)
Antiepileptic / Seeds: Study evaluated a methanol extract of T. ammi as antiepileptic agent in a strychnine-induced seizure model for epilepsy. Results showed a potential anti-epileptic effect that may be due to the presence of thymol, acting through a mechanism similar to benzodiazepines. (25)
Antioxidant / Seeds: Study evaluated the antioxidant activity of seed extracts by radical scavenging activity of antioxidants against DPPH method. Results showed the IC50 of the seed extracts are higher than the standard synthetic antioxidants, BHT, ascorbic acid, and gallic acid. (see constituents above) (26)
Study evaluated the free radical scavenging potential and oxidative damage preventive activity of traditionally uses spices, Trachyspermum ammi (carom) and Foeniculum vulgare (fennel). Seed extracts of both spices showed comparatively high amount of total phenolics. The seed extracts have potential as highly significant bioresource of antioxidants for day-to-day use and food and pharmaceutical industry applications. (36)
Anti-Spasmodic / Spasmolytic / Anticholinergic / Essence: Study evaluated the effect of T. ammi essence on acetylcholine-induced contraction in isolated rat's ileum. Essence distillate yielded thymol as the main constituent. Results showed different concentrations of TAE exhibited potent spasmolytic and anti-spasmodic effect on isolated rat's ileum. (27)
Antiviral Against Japanese Encephalitis Virus / Essential Oil: Study of essential oil showed potential in vitro antiviral activity against JEV. Results suggest purification of active biomolecule and in vivo trial to evaluated its efficacy for future use. (28)
Larvicidal / Essential Oil / Aedes aegypti: Study showed the essential oils of ajowan and Peru balsam and some of their constituents have potential as botanical insecticides against Ae. aegypti mosquito larvae. (29)
Antibacterial / Fruit Essential Oil / Food Borne and Spoilage Bacteria: Study evaluated the anti-bacterial potential of essential oil and extracts of T. ammi fruits against food borne and spoilage bacteria. The oil and extract of T. ammi displayed remarkable anti-bacterial effects against B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, S. typhimurium, E. aerogenes, and S. aureus. (30)
Antiurolithiatic / Anticalcifying Protein / Seed: Study recently purified an anticalcifying protein from the seeds of T. ammi with inhibitory activity against calcium oxalate crystal growth. Study evaluated the antilithiatic activity of the anticalcifying protein in a urolithiatic rat model. Antilithiatic potential of TAP was evidenced by its ability to maintain renal functioning, reduce renal injury and decrease crystal excretion in urine and retention in renal tissues. (31)
Antimicrobial / Essential Oil / Seeds: Study evaluated the antimicrobial activities of essential oil and fractions of Trachyspermum ammi seeds. Major constituents were y-terpinene (48.07%), p-cymene (33.73%). and thymol (17.41%). Antimicrobial activities of the EO and fractions were evaluated against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, E. faecalis, S. pyogenes. Fraction II showed better activity than total essential oil, fraction I, and standard thymol. The greater activity of fraction II was attributed to the synergistic effects of the ingredients in the fraction. (32)
Scolicidal / Hydatid Cyst Protoscolesces / Essential Oil of Fruit: Study evaluated the scolicidal effect of essential oil from fruits of T. ammi. GC and GC-MS analysis yielded 18 compounds representing 99.54% of total oil, with thymol (50.07%), y-terpinene (23.92%), and p-cymeme (22.9%) as major constituents. One hundred percent scolicidal activity was seed with EO concentration of 10 mg/mL. Study suggest potential as a natural scolicidal agent. (33)
Effect on Spermatogonia Stem Cells Viability / Monoterpenes: Study evaluated the effects of oil from T. ammi on the viability of spermatogonial stem cells in vitro. Results showed the monoterpenes from the oil improved the quality and viability of spermatogonia cells in the cell culture. (34)
Cytotoxic Effects on Breast Cancer Cells / Thymol: Natural phenolic compounds have inhibition effects on various malignancies: Thymol is one such compound present in the fruit of T. ammi. Study evaluated thymol for its potential cytotoxic activity and its effect on apoptotic gene expression in breast cancer cell line. MTT assay showed the IC50 of thymol on MCF-7 cells for 48 and 72h were 54 and 62 µg/mL, respectively. The compound also significantly affected gene expression of P53 and P21. Thymol can induce the apoptosis process in MCF-7. Study suggests potential as an anticancer agent. (38)
Prevention of Dental Caries / Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans Biofilm / Seeds: Study evaluated the influence of crude and active solvent fraction of T. ammi on S. mutans cariogenicity, effect on expression of genes involved in biofilm formation and caries development in rats. 2-Isopropyl-5-methyl-phenol was identified as the major compound in crude and active fraction. RT-PCR analysis showed significant suppression of genes involved in biofilm formation. All test groups showed reduction in caries in rats. Results suggest the putative cariostatic properties of T. ammi can be used as alternative medicine to prevent caries infection. (39)
Hepatoprotective / CCl-4 Hepatotoxicity / Essential Oil: Study evaluated the protective effect of T. ammi essential oil against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Thymol (44.2%), p-cymene (25.7%) and y-terpinene (25.1%) were the main components of the EO. Results showed T. ammi EO can protect hepatic tissue and regulate liver enzymes in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity due to its antioxidant compounds. (40)
Anti-Inflammatory / Collagen Induced Arthritis / Seeds: Study evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of aqueous extract of T. ammi seeds on type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in Wistar rats. Treatment with ibuprofen and aqueous extract alone or in combination reduced the measured variables i.e., paw thickness, arthritis score, COX2 and iNOS mRNA levels. The ibuprofen treated group showed more reduction in paw thickness, arthritis score and iNOS mRNA level, while the extract treated group reduced COX2 mRNA more than ibuprofen. (42)
Effect on Blood Coagulation: Study evaluated the effect of methanol extract of Ajwain on coagulation parameters PT and aPTT. Results showed no significant effect on aPTT but showed a significant increase (p<0.001) on PT. The prolongation of PT, similar to Warfarin, suggests effects on the extrinsic pathway, while the aPTT non-effect suggests no effect on the intrinsic pathway. (43)
Contraceptive Spermicidal Activity / Essential Oil / Fruits: Study evaluated the spermicidal and contraceptive efficacy of essential oil of T. ammi on human sperm in vitro. GC-MS analysis yielded 30 compounds representing 91.39% of total oil identified. Minimum effective dose (MED) of EO that induced instant immobilization of human spermatozoa was 125 µg/mL. All of the sperm was non viable within 10 minutes. Activity of acrosomal enzymes was reduced. Significant release of 5'-nucleotidase in the surrounding medium was noted after an MED treatment of EO. Results suggest the EO of TA possesses appreciable spermicidal potential, with potential as an effective constituent of vaginal contraceptives. (44)
Acute and Sub-Chronic Toxicity Studies / Essential Oil: Study evaluated the toxicity of ajowan oil in experimental animals. Acute toxicity testing in rats was done by gavage and subcrhonic testing with 1000 mg/kg of essential oil for 23 to 45 days. In acute studies for lethal dose, LD50 of ajowan EO was about 2294 mg/kg. Results showed the T. ammi EO did not affect chemical parameters of blood and no serious histological change in examined tissues. However, because of the LD50 values, the EO may be classified as moderately toxic. (45)
Antifungal / Seeds: Study evaluated the antifungal property of T. ammi seeds. A 2% seed powder was added to a plate containing Aspergillus niger molds. Results showed remarkable inhibition in the growth of A. niger and also suppressed growth of other fungi. (46)
Antibacterial / Leaves and Seeds: Study evaluated aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic extract of seeds and leaves of T. ammi against B. cereus, B. subtilis, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, L. acidophilus, M. luteus, S. aureus, S. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. Among all extracts, the ethanolic extract of T. ammi's seeds was found to be effective against all test bacteria. Of the leaves extracts, the alcoholic extract showed low antibacterial activity and the aqueous extract showed no activity at all. (47)
Anticandidal / Seeds: Candida albicans is the causative agent of candidiasis in immunocompromised patients. Study evaluated the antifungal activity of T. ammi seeds ethanolic extract and hexane fraction against Candida albicans in-vitro and in-vivo. MIC of the hexane fraction was 225 µg/mL, compared to standard amphotericin B (200 µg/mL). In a BALB/c mice model, extract and fraction ointment applied for treatment of cutaneous candidiasis resulted in 90-100% recovery in mice, which was better than standard clotrimazole. Results suggest potential for development of novel antifungal agents. (50)
Antidermatophytic Activity / Essential Oil: Study evaluated the effect of essential oil of T. ammi and its fractions against fungi causing dermatophytoses in humans. GC-MS analysis yielded 20 compounds, with thymol (58.88%) as major compound followed by p-cymene (24.02%), y-terpinene (13.77%) and ß-pinene (1.90%). Antidermatophytic activity was shown by maximum ZOI against Chrysosporium tropicum (63.83 mm), Trichophyton simii (57 mm), T. rubrum (51.33 mm) and C. indicum (45 mm). Acute dermal irritation assay on albino mice at 3% concentration did not show any irritation on mice skin; at 5% concentration, there was mild erythema in 3; at 7%, all exhibited well defined erythema. Results showed strong antidermatophytic properties with no side effects at low concentration and suggests a potential alternative therapeutic. (51)
Pain Modulation / Essence: Studies have shown that substances can inhibit pain via inhibition of opioid, serotonergic, and cholinergic pain receptors. This study evaluated the effect of T. ammi essence on modulation of pain score using formalin test in mice. Results demonstrated the possible role of cholinergic signaling in antinociceptive effect. (52)
Topical Cream for Neuropathic Pain Vs Placebo / Clinical Trial: A four-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of Ajwain 10% topical essential oil cream on neuropathic pain on 92 patients with daily and nocturnal burning feet. Decline in numbness, tingling and allodynia were evaluated. Results showed significant reduction in feet burning scores as well as numbness, tingling, and allodynia in the Ajwain group. There was significant difference between the two groups. Results suggest a good candidate for alleviation of neuropathic feet burning. (53)
Cytotoxicity to MDR Bacteria / Monoterpene / Fruit Essential Oil: Study evaluated the effect of an herbal extract containing monoterpene against multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical infection samples. GC-MS analysis of the EO yielded aromatic monoterpenes (thymol, paracymene, and gamma-terpinene) as major (90%) components of the oil. Results showed inhibition of growth of S. aureus strains with IZD between 30-60 mm and MIC <0.02 µL/mL. Oil had no antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa. (54)
Larvicidal Against Malaria Vectors: Study evaluated the larvicidal effects of two native Iranian medicinal plants, seeds of Ajwain (T. spermum) and leaves and shoots of Ziziphora clinopodioides against third and fourth instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi. Phytochemical analysis of EO showed high percentages of thymol (71.989) for T. ammi and pulegone (48.609) for Z. clinopodioides. LC50 and LC90 for T. ammi essential oil were 14.26 and 39.54 ppm. Results showed the effective compounds in the EO had larvicidal properties against malaria vectors. (55)
Anticancer / MCF-7 Cell Lines / o53 and Bcl-2 mRNA Levels: Study evaluated the anticancer activity of ethanolic extract of T. ammi against MCF-7 cell lines. Phytochemical screening yielded flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, carbohydrates, phenols, tannins, and terpenes. IC50 by MTT assay showed greater degree of cytotoxicity at dose of 25 µg/ml, The EE also showed significant signs of apoptosis such as cell shrinkage, membrane blebbing and nuclei DNA fragmentation. Expression of p53 was significantly (p<0.001) increased and expression of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 was significantly (p<0.01) reduced when compared with MCF-7 cell line. (56)
Antiarthritic / Antigout / Seeds: Study evaluated the in vitro anti-arthritic and anti-gout activity of methanolic and chloroform extracts of T. ammi seeds. Phytochemical screening yielded cardiac glycosides, carbohydrates, phytosterols, saponins, phenolic and tannins in the ME, and alkaloids, saponins, phenolics, tannins, carbohydrates in the CE. The ME showed significant anti-arthritic activity compared to the CE, possibly due to former being rich in polyphenols. The ME also showed highly significant anti-gout activity. (57)
| Antimicrobial / Chitosan-Based Edible Film / Shelf-Life of Food Products / Essential Oil: Packaging using chitosan-based edible films incorporated with natural essential oils is a safe and economic way to increase shelf life and acceptability of food products, especially chicken meat. Study evaluated the antimicrobial effects of chitosan-based edible film containing T. ammi essential oil on the shelf-life of chicken meat. Antimicrobial effects were dependent on the concentration of T. ammi essential oil (p0.05). Chitosan fil incorporated with 2% T. ammi oil had the highest inhibitory effects on total aerobic, total psychrophilic and coliform bacteria (p<0.05). Results showed incorporation of T. ammi 2% EO has potential for use as developed chitosan edible film in the packaging of chicken meat. (58)
Anthelmintic / Leaves: In Ayurvedic medicine, leaves are used for treatment of helminthiasis. Study evaluated the anthelmintic activity of various leaves extract against Indian earthworm Pheretima posthuma. Albendazole was used as standard reference. Results showed dose dependent decrease of paralysis time and death time. An ethyl acetate extract showed more potency than other extracts and albendazole. (59)

Drug Interaction Concerns
-
In vivo animal studies showed hypotensive and bradycardic effects. In vitro studies show inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation. (21)

Pregnancy and Lactation
-
Avoid use. Plant was listed as 1 of 14 indigenous medicinal plants used for abortion in some districts of India in 1987. There is also concern for congenital defects. Rat teratogenicity studies raise concern for risk of human fetotoxicity. (49)

Availability
Wild-crafted.
Seeds, flower extracts, dietary supplements in capsules, liquids or powder in the cybermarket.


Updated March 2021 / May 2016

 PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
IMAGE SOURCE: Line Drawing / Carum Copticum / GNU Free Doc License / mal.sarva.gov.in
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: The flowers of the carom plant (ajwain in Hindi) / File:Carom Flowers.jpg./ 13 April 2011 / Barnes24 / Creative Commons Attribution / Wikipedia
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Carom seeds / File:Carom.jpg ./ 18 February 2007 / Sanjay Acharya / GNU Free Documentation License / Wikipedia

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Antimicrobial evaluation of some medicinal plants for their anti-enteric potential against multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi / Phulan Rani, Neeraj Khullar / Phytotherapy Research, Volume 18 Issue 8, Pages 670 - 673 / Publ Online: 8 Oct 2004
(2)
Studies on the antihypertensive, antispasmodic, bronchodilator and hepatoprotective activities of the Carum copticum seed extract / A H Gilani, Q Jabeen et al /
Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 98, Issues 1-2, 8 April 2005, Pages 127-135 / doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.01.017 |
(3)
Antinociceptive Effects of Carum copticum Extract in Mice Using Formalin Test / Seyed Hassa Hejazian et al / World Applied Science Journal, 3(2):215-219, 2008
(4)
Protease Activity in Seeds Commonly Used as Herbal Medicine / Shaukat Ali, Qazi A H, Khan M R / Pakistan J. Med. Res. Vol. 42 No.2, 2003
(5)
Fumigant toxicity of Carum copticum and Vitex pseudo-negundo essential oils against eggs, larvae and adults of Callosobruchus maculatus / Bibi Zahra Sahaf and Saeid Moharramipour / Journal of Pest Science, Volume 81, Number 4 / December, 2008 / DOI 10.1007/s10340-008-0208-y
(6)
ANTIINFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF THE SEEDS OF CARUM COPTICUM LINN. / C Thangham and R Dhananjayan / Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2003; 35: 388-391
(7)
The analgesic effect of Carum copticum extract and morphine on phasic pain in mice / Mohammad Hossein Dashti-Rahmatabadi et al / Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Vol109, Issue 2, 19 January 2007, Pages 226-228 / doi:10.1016/j.jep.2006.07.035 |
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Antitussive effect of Carum copticum in guinea pigs / Boskabady MH, Jandaghi P et al / J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Feb 10;97(1):79-82. Epub 2004 Dec 9.
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ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF CARUM CAPTICUM SEEDS AGAINST GASTRO-INTESTINAL NEMATODES OF SHEEP / M Lateef, Z Iqbal et al / J. Anim. Pl. Sci. 16(1-2): 2006
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Bronchodilatory Effect of Carum copticum in Airways of Asthmatic Patients / Mohammad Hossein Boskabady, Mansorah Alizadeh and Behnaz Jahanbin / Thérapie 2007 Janvier-Février; 62 (1): 23-29
/ DOI: 10.2515/therapie:2007007
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Cholinomimetic effects of aqueous extracts from Carum copticum seeds / G Devasankaraiah; I Hanin; P S Haranath; P S Ramanamurthy / British journal of pharmacology, Vol 52, 1974
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Relaxant Effect of Carum copticum on Intestinal Motility in Ileum of Rat
/ S J Hejazian et al / World Journal of Zoology 2 (2): 15-18, 2007
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The Effect of Carum Copticum Extract on Acetylcholine Induced Contraction in Isolated Rat's Ileum / Seyed Hassan Hejazian-Y, Mohammad Hossein Dashti-R, Seyed Majid Mahdavi, Masood Anvar Qureshi / Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies, Mar 2009; Volume 2, Issue 1: pp 75-78
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COMPARATIVE ANTIHYPERLIPIDAEMIC EFFICACY OF TRACHYSPERMUM AMMI EXTRACTS IN ALBINO RABBITS / I Javed, Z Iqbal, Z U Rahman et al / Pakistan Vet., J., 2006, 26(1): 23-29.
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ANTIFERTILITY EFFECT OF TRACHYSPERMUM AMMI (LINN) SPRAGUE FRUITS ON MALE RATS / Surendra Kumar M / International Journal of Pharmaceutical & Biological Archive, Vol 2, No 2 (2011)
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Studies on Antifungal Properties of Essential Oil of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague / S. C. Tripathi, S. P. Singh, S. Dube / Journal of Phytopathology, Volume 116, Issue 2, pages 113–120, June 1986 / DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0434.1986.tb00902.x
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Sorting Trachyspermum names / Authorised by Prof. Snow Barlow / Maintained by: Michel H. Porcher / MULTILINGUAL MULTISCRIPT PLANT NAME DATABASE / Copyright © 1997 - 2000 The University of Melbourne.
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Antidiarrhoeal activity of ethanol and aqueous extracts of Carum copticum seeds in experimental rats
/
G Balaji, M Chalamaiah, B Ramesh*, Y Amarnath Reddy / Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine (2012)S1151-S1155 / doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60376-1
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CARUM COPTICUM ESSENTIAL OILS AS NATURAL ANTIOXIDANT IN DRESSING / Seyed Mohammad Bagher Hashemi, Mohsen Gavahian, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah* / Journal of Hygienic Engineering and Design
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Anti-Giardia Activity of Carum copticum on Giardia lamblia Cysts in Vitro / S Shahabi, F Ayazi Roozbehani*, M Kamalinejad , A Abadi / Pejouhesh. 2008; 32 (4) :303-307
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Trachyspermum ammi / Ranjan Bairwa, R. S. Sodha, and B. S. Rajawat / Pharmacogn Rev. 2012 Jan-Jun; 6(11): 56–60. / doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.95871
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Extract of spice—omum ( Trachyspermum ammi )-shows antiaggregatory effects and alters arachidonic acid metabolism in human platelets. Prostaglandins Leukot and Essential Fatty Acids / Srivastava KC. / 1988;33:1-6.
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ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF TRACHYSPERMUM AMMI (L) EXTRACT / AISHWARYA K. APTE*, V. S. KHOT, N. S. BIRADAR, S. B. PATIL / International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol 6 suppl 2, 2014
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Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of Trachyspermum ammi seeds in collagen induced arthritis in rats. / Sadiq Umar,M. Asif, Mir Sajad, Md. Meraj Ansari, Umar Hussain, Wasim Ahmad, Shadab Ahmad Siddiqui, Sayeed Ahmad and Haider A. Khan* / Int. J. Drug Dev. & Res., Jan-March 2012, 4(1):210-219.
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EVALUATION OF ANTIEPILEPTIC ACTIVITY OF THE METHANOL EXTRACT OF TRACHYSPERMUM AMMI (L.) / MUHAMMAD ALI RAJPUT, RAFEEQ. A. KHAN and ZEESHAN FEROZ / Arch. Biol. Sci., Belgrade, 65 (3), 815-819, 2013 DOI:10.2298/ABS1303815R
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Characterization of Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Trachyspermum ammi Seed as a Potential Medicinal Plant
/ Hashem Akhlaghi*, Bhnam Mahdavi, Hasan Rezaei / Journal of Chemical Health Risks (2014) 4(4), 9–16
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Spasmolytic and anti-spasmodic action of Trachyspermum ammi essence on rat's ileum contraction / Seyed Hassan Hejazian, Seyyed Majid Bagheri, Fatemeh Safari / North American Journal of Medical Sciences (2014) Vol 6, Issue 12, Pp 6
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Evaluation of antiviral activity of essential oil of Trachyspermum Ammi against Japanese encephalitis virus / Soumen Roy, Pratibha Chaurvedi, Abhay Chowdhary / Pharmacognosy Research, July-September 2015, Vol 7, Issue 3
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Larvicidal Activity of Ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi) and Peru Balsam (Myroxylon pereira) Oils and Blends of Their Constituents against Mosquito, Aedes aegypti, Acute Toxicity on Water Flea, Daphnia magna, and Aqueous Residue / Seon-Mi Seo, Hye-Mi Park, and Il-Kwon Park* / J. Agric. Food Chem., 2012, 60 (23), pp 5909–5914 / DOI: 10.1021/jf301296d
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Trachyspermum ammi (L.) fruit essential oil influencing on membrane permeability and surface characteristics in inhibiting food-borne pathogens
/ Souren Paul, R.C. Dubey, D.K. Maheswari, Sun Chul Kang / Food Control 22 (2011) 725e731
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In vivo efficacy of Trachyspermum ammi anticalcifying protein in urolithiatic rat model / Tanzeer Kaur, Rakesh K Bijarnia, Surinder K Singla, Chanderdeep Tandon / Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Dec 2009; 126(3): pp 459-462 / DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.09.015
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Trachyspermum ammi (L.( SpragueL Chemical Composition of Essential Oil and Antimicrobial Activities of Respective Fractions / Mahmoodreza R Moein PhD, Kamiar Zomorodian PhD, Keyvan Pakshir PhD et al / Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine / DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587214553302
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In vitro lethal effect of ajowan (Trachyspermum ammi L.) essential oil on hydatid cyst protoscoleces / Mohammad Moazeni, Mohammad Jamal Saharkhiz, Ali Akbar Hosseini / Veterinary Parasitology, June 2012; 187(1-2): pp 203-208 / DOI: https://doi.org/j.vetpar.2011.12.025
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Effects of Monoterpenes of Trachyspermum ammi on the Viability of Spermatogonia Stem Cells in Vitro / Sahar Omidpanah, Fereshte Aliakbari, Mahdieh Kurepaz-Mahmoodabadi, Azadeh Manayi et al / Plants, 2020; 9(3) / DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/plants9030343
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Antihyperlipidaemic Efficacy of Trachyspermum ammi in Albino Rabbits / Ijaz Javed, Zia-Ur-Rahman, Muhammad Z Khan, Faqir Muhammad, Bilal Aslam, Zahid Iqbal, Javed Sultan, Ijaz Ahmad / Acta Veterinaria Brno, 2009; 78: pp 229-236 / DOI: https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200978020229
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Assessment of Free Radical Scavenging Potential and Oxidative DNA Damage Preventive Activity of Trachyspermum ammi L. (Carom) and Foeniculum vulgare Mill. (Fennel) Seed Extracts / Nandini Goswami and Sreemoyee Chatterjee / Biomed Research International, Vol 2014, Article ID 582767 /
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/582767
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Ethnobotany and Research Trends in Trachyspermum ammi L. (Ajowan): A Popular Folklore Remedy / Sohail Ahmad Jan, Zabta Khan Shinwari, Amir Zeb, Ali Talha Khalil and Sabir Hussain Shah / American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 2015; 15(1)> pp 68-73 / ISSN: 1818-6769 /
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.aejacs.2015.15.1.12491
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The Cytotoxic Effects of Thymol as the Major Component of Trachyspermum ammi on Breast Cancer (NCF-7) Cells / Hasan Rezael Seresht, Bushra Jabbar Albadry, Aseel Kamil, Mohammed Al-Mosawi, Omid Gholami, and Hamid Cheshomi / Pharmaceutical Chemstry Journal, 2019; 53: pp 101-107 /
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In vitro and in vivo inhibition of Streptococcus mutans biofilm by Trachyspermum ammi seeds: An approach of alternative medicine / Rosina Khan, Mohd Adil, Mohd Danishuddin, Praveen J Verma, Asad U Khan / Phytomedicine, June 2012; 19(8-9): pp 747-755 / https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2012.04.004
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Protection of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity by Trachyspermum ammi essential oil in mice / Mohammad Mahdi Zangeneh, Mohammad Hosein Farzaei, Nader Goodarzi & Akram Zangeneh /
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Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Analysis of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) Seed Extract / Basheer Mohammed Abdullah, Mansour Abdulnabi Hadi Mehdi, Abdul Raoof Khan, Jiyaullakhan Maulakhan Pathan
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The Effect of Aqueous Extract of Trachyspermum ammi Seeds and Ibuprofen on Inflammatory Gene Expression in the Cartilage Tissue of Rats with Collagen-Induced Arthritis / Mohsen Korani and Mohammadnabi Jamshidi / Journal of Inflammation Research, 2020; 13: pp 133-139 / PMID: 32184646 /
DOI: 10.2147/JIR.S236242 /
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Effect of Methanol Extract of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi L) on Blood Coagulation in Rats / Muhammad Ali Rajput, Rafeeq Alam Khan, Nasreen Qazi and Zeeshan Feroz / JLUMHS, May-August 2012; 11(2): pp 105-108
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In vitro determination of the contraceptive spermicidal activity of essential oil of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague ex Turrill Fruits / Souren Paul, Sun Chul Kang / New Biotechnology, Oct 2011; 28(6): pp 684-690 / DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nby.2011.02.008
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Toxicity Evaluation of Essential Oil of Trachyspermum ammi in Acute and Sub-Chronic Toxicity Experiments / M Vazirian, D Hekmati, S N Ostad, A Manayi / J Medicinal Plants, 2019; 18(69): pp 70-77
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Study of Antifungal Effects of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague / Manoj M Nitalikar, Shrikant M Nitalikar, Girish A Gunjotikar and Prashant D Aragade / Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 2010; 3(1) / eISSN: 0974-360X, pISSN: 0974-3618
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Screening of Trachyspermum ammi Antibacterial Activity / Khan N T and Jameel N / Biochemistry & Analytical Biochemistry, 7(3) / ISSN: 2161-1009 / DOI: 10.4172/2161-1009.1000359
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Ajwain / Wikipedia
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Bishop's Weed / Drugs.com
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In-vitro and in-vivo anticandidal activity of Trachyspermum ammi (L.) sprague seeds ethanolic extract and thymol-containing hexanes fraction / Atia-tul-Wahab, Qibtiya Ilyas, Saba Farooq, Sumaira Javaid, Shakil Ahmed, Atta-ur-Rahman et al / Natural Products Research /
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2020.1731738
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Chemical Composition, Toxicity and Antidermatophytic Activity of Essential Oil of Trachyspermum ammi / Neetu Jain, M Sharma, S C Joshi, and U Kaushik / Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2018; 80(1): pp 135-142 / DOI: 10.4172/pharmaceuticals-sciences.1000338
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The role of opioids, serotonergic and cholinergic pain receptors to induce analgesic effect of Trachyspermum ammi essence using formalin test in mice / Ali Borhani, Alireza Vahidi, F Heidarian Pour, Elham Sadat Hejazian, Zahra Dehestani, Seyed Hasad Hejazian / Int J Med Invest, 2015; 5(1): pp 5-11
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Trachyspermum ammi 10% topical cream versus placebo on neuropathic pain. a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial / Peyman Petramfar, Mahmoodreza Moein, Soliman Mohammadi Samani, Sayed Hamidreza Tabatabael, and Mohammad M Zarshenas / Neurological Sciences, 2016; 37: pp 1440-1455
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Monoterpene isolated from the essential oil of Trachyspermum ammi is cytotoxic to multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus strains / Faride Hosseinkhani, Fereshteh Jabalameli, Maryam Banar, Nafiseh Abdellahi, Morovat Taherikalani, William B van Leeuwen, Mohammad Emaneini / Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical. Mar-Apr 2016; 49(2) / eISSN: 1678-9849 / pISSN: 0037-8682 / DOI: https://10.1590/0037-8682-0329-2015
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Larvicidal effects and phytochemical evaluation of essential oils of Trachyspermum ammi and Ziziphora clinopodioides against larvae Anopheles stephensi / Hanieh Torabi-Pour, Mansoureh Shayeghi, Hassan Vatandoost, Mohammad-Reza Abai / Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology, 2017; 6(4): pp 185-190
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Anti cancer activity of Trachyspermum ammi against MCF-7 cell lines mediates by p53 and Bcl-2 mRNA levels / Ramya N, Priyadharshini, Prakash R, Dhivya R / The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2017; 6(2): pp 78-83 / ISSN" 2320-480X
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Comparative Study of Methanolic and Chloroform Extracts of Trachyspermum ammi Seeds for Antiarthritic and Antigout Activity / S Ramachandran, J Nikitha, K Srujana, G Atchuth. Rayudu, Y Aruna / International Journal of Advanced Research (IJAR) / ISSN 2320-5407
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Study of the antimicrobial effects of chitosan-based edible film containing the Trachyspermum amm essentiial oil on shelf-life of chicken meat / Fatemah Karimnezhad, Vadood Razavilar I, Amir Ali Anvar, Soheyl Eskandari / Microbiology Research, 2017; 8(2) / DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/mr.2017.7226
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The Anthelmintic Activity of Leaves of Trachyspermum ammi / Mr Mukul Tambe, Mrs Shubhashree Mahadik / Interntional Research of Scientific & Engineering Research, Sept 2020; 11(9) / ISSN 2229-5518

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                                                            List of Understudied Philippine Medicinal Plants

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