Pharmacological activity of Trachyspermum ammi : A Review

Full text

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.3.Issue 4.April 2010
AK Pathak et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2010, 3(4),895-899
895-899
Review Article
ISSN: 0974-6943 Available online through
www.jpronline.info
*Corresponding author.
Amresh Kumar Pathak
National Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Research,
CCRAS, Patiala, Punjab, India
Tel.: + 91-09569614409, 09993046542
E-mail:amresh.pharma@gmail.com,
vikas_4308@rediffmail.com
INTRODUCTION
Consumers in general prefer to have food free from preser-
vatives or added at low levels (1). Moreover, there has been a demand
for food with long shelf life and without any risk of food contami-
nants. This warrants the use of natural preservatives as alternatives
to chemical ones leading to increasing interest in testing natural com-
pounds as antimicrobials for food preservation (2, 3). Accordingly,
natural plant products with antimicrobial properties have obtained
recognition for its possible applications in food in terms of prevent-
ing bacterial and fungal growth (4). Ajwain has characteristic aro-
matic smell and pungent test, and it’s widely used as a spice in cur-
ries. It is employed either alone or in mixture with other spices and
condiments. It is also used in pickles, certain types of biscuits, con-
fectionery, beverages and pan mixtures (5). Ajwain is one of the aro-
matic seed spices, which is generally used for medicinal purposes as
a digestive stimulant or to treat liver disorders. Thymol, the major
phenolic compound present in Ajwain, has been reported to be a
germicide, antispasmodic, and antifungal agent (6). The principle ac-
tive constituents of the oil are the phenols, mainly thymol (35-60%)
and some carvacrol. The Indian Pharmacopoeia requires Ajwain oil
contain not less than 40% thymol. Thymol easily crystlizes from the
oil on cooling and commonly known as Ajwain ka phool or Sat-
ajwain. The reminder of oil is called thymine on account of it’s similar-
ity with the corresponding portion of Thyme vulgaris (7).
The maximum requirement for volatile oil content is 1.2 %v/
w with the phenol values not less than 0.5% expressed as thymol and
calculated with reference to the anhydrous drug. The phenol in iso-
lated oil is determined by reaction with amino pyrazolan and potas-
sium ferricyanide in ammonical solution with subsiquent measure-
ment of absorbance at 450 nm. A number of chemical reaction e.g.
Pharmacological activity of Trachyspermum ammi : A Review
AK Pathak1*, N Nainwal2, BM Goyal1, R Singh2, V Mishra2, S Nayak3, P Bansal4, V Gupta1
1National Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Research, CCRAS, Patiala, Punjab, India 2School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shobhit University, Meerut,
Uttar Pradesh, India
3Bansal College of Pharmacy, Bhopal, India
4Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, India
Received on: 14-01-2010; Revised on: 06-02-2010; Accepted on:12-03-210
ABSTRACT
Ayurveda is an important system of medicine and drug therapy in India. Among traditional potential herbs, Trachyspermum ammi family Apiaceae
commonly known as Ajwain is widely used for curing various diseases in both humans and animals. The active principle are extracted and purified for
therapeutic utility for their selective and regulated activities. The quality control of herbal drug and their bio-constituents are of prime importance justifying
their acceptability in modern system of medicine. Trachyspermum ammi is one of the most famous medicinal plants in the treatment of a large number of
human ailments is mentioned in Ayurveda, Sushrita Samhita and Charaka Samhita. This review deals with the evidence-based information regarding the
pharmacological activity of Trachyspermum ammi.
Keywords: Ayurveda, Trachyspermum ammi, Pharmacological activity
Thymol and carvacrol type are known and it is these phenol that are
held largely responsible for the antiseptic, antitussive, and expecto-
rant properties of thyme (8). Different researcher investigated the
oestrogenic content of some herbs (including T. ammi) that are tradi-
tionally used to increase milk yield in dairy cattle (T. ammi.) has also
been traditionally used as a galactogogue in humans (9). Thymol is a
widely known anti-microbial agent. Due to its bactericidal action
against oral bacteria, it is commonly incorporated in mouthwashes.
Its action seems to be mainly related with harmful effects on both the
cellular cytoplasmic membrane (perforation) and the generation of
ATP (10, 11). It has also demonstrated a fungicide activity that could
involve effects on the membrane (12). It is emphasized that, in lamiaceae
plants, thymol is always accompanied by its isomer carvacrol (13).
Thymol also has antiseptic activity and carvacrol possesses antifun-
gal properties (14). It has been established that thymol and carvacrol
inhibit the peroxidation of liposome phospholipids in a concentration
dependent manner (15). It appeared that both isomers were equally
effective in the autoxidation of lard at 35 °C at a concentration of 0.1%
(16).
C
H
3
OH
H3C CH3
5-Isopropyl-2-methyl-phenol
Carvac rol
C
H
3
CH3
H3C
1-Isopropyl-4-methyl-cyclohexa-1,3-diene
Terpineα
HO
C
H
3
H3C
CH32-Isopropyl-5-methyl-phenol
Thymol
O
OHHO
O
Oxalic acid

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.3.Issue 4.April 2010
AK Pathak et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2010, 3(4),895-899
895-899
PHARMACOLOGICAL AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES
Traditional therapeutic uses of T. ammi fruits include: galac-
togogue, stomachic, carminative (18), Expectorant, Antiseptic (19),
Amoebiasis, Antimicrobial (20), seeds fried in oil and used as a thin
soup as a galactogogue (21), used in curing diarrhoea, Parasiticidal,
and given in treatment of amenhorroea (22), Bronchitis, colic pain
(23), Antipyretic, febrifugal (24). The seed of ajwain is bitter, pungent,
and it acts as anthelmintic, carminative, laxative, and stomachic. It
also cures abdominal tumors, abdominal pains, and piles (25). Cat-
echolamines from the adrenal medulla would have contributed either
to a stress associated release of ACTH or to a rise in intracellular
cyclic AMP and catecholamine release is associated with enlarge-
ment of adrenal gland (26). Presence of terpenes, glycosides and
sterols in plant has been found to exert active antiinflammatory ef-
fects (27).
Anti-lithiatic Properties
T. ammi in a list of 14 indigenous medicinal plants that were
reported to have been used for abortion in some districts of Uttar
Pradesh (India) in their survey conducted in 1987. Specifically, in the
village of Kallipuschium, Lucknow district, 50 of the 75 pregnant
women who were surveyed (of a total of 155 women in the fertile
period) claimed to have used T. ammi seed for abortion. Investigated
the oestrogenic content of some herbs (including T. ammi) that are
traditionally used to increase milk yield in dairy cattle (T. ammi has
also been traditionally used as a galactogogue in humans. (28).
Anti-hyperlipidaemic Activity
The cardiovascular diseases have increased several folds
in most developed and underdeveloped countries of the world. These
cardiac aliments are directly related to hyperlipidaemia (29). During
the last two decades, both retrospective and prospective studies
have shown correlation between levels of circulating lipids and mor-
tality rates from coronary atherosclerotic heart disease several syn-
thetic drugs have been reported having serious side effects (30).
Trachyspermum ammi is reported to have platelet aggregation inhibi-
tory action (31), antifungal potency (32) and blood pressure lowering
action (33). Antihyperlipidaemic effect of T.ammi seed has been ob-
tained in albino rabbits. It was assessed that T. ammi powder at dose
rate of 2 g/kg body weight and its equivalent methanol extract were
extensively effective lipid lowering action. T. ammi seed powder
more effectively decreased total cholesterol by 71% and then, in the
descending order, LDL-cholesterol by 63%, triglycerides by 53% and
total lipids by 49% on post-treatment day 135. (34). Researcher also
suggested that the beneficial effects of T. ammi on fat metabolism
may be due to the considerable amounts of fibre’ in the T. ammi (35).
Anti-inflammatory Effects
The study was obtaining the anti-inflammatory activity of
the total alcoholic extract (TAE) and total aqueous extract (TAQ) from
the seeds of Carum copticum. Linn. using rat models. These activity
exerted by TAE and TAQ extracts suggest that they could have acted
by affecting kinnin, prostaglandin, bradykinin and lysozyme synthe-
sis. Its efficacy to inhibit the inflammation might be due to an increase
in the number of fibroblasts and synthesis of collagen and muco-
polysaccharides during granuloma tissue formation (36). TAE and
TAQ in 100 mg/kg doses exhibited significant (P<0.001) antiinflamma-
tory activity in both the animal models. (37).
Antibacterial Activity
The present invention relates to a novel synergistic compo-
sition useful in the treatment of drug resistant bacterial infections.
The composition comprises an effective amount of thymol, a mixture
of the essential oils of Mentha arvensis and Mentha spicata or their
monoterpene components in appropriate ratio and conventional ad-
ditives. The composition is useful in the treatment of drug resistant
enteric and systemic infections. The formulation with enhanced ac-
tivity of thymol action comprises thymol in combination with the oil
which is a combination containing the rare mixture of carvone, li-
monene and menthol. The invention also provides methods of pro-
ducing the composition and a method of using thymol obtained from
the seeds of the plant Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain) as a fourth
generation antibiotic formulation for control of drug resistant bacte-
ria. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of a compound
‘Thymol‘ isolated from the oil distilled from the seeds of the plant
Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain) to kill the bacteria resistant to even
prevalent third generation antibiotics and multi-drug resistant (mdr)
microbial pathogens and thus useful as a plant based fourth genera-
tion herbal antibiotic formulation (38).
Most of the gram-positive bacteria, such as B. cereus, B.
subtilis, S. aureus, and L. monocytogenes, showed good inhibition
action when compared to gram-negative bacteria (e.g. E. coli and P.
aeruginosa). Generally, gram-negative bacteria have been reported
to be more resistant than gram-positive samples to the antimicrobial
effect of essential oils given the differences in the lipopolysaccharide
constitution of their cell walls (39). A number of hypotheses have
been put forward which involve hydrophobic and hydrogen bonding
of phenolic compounds to membrane proteins, followed by partition
into the lipid bilayer, perturbation of membrane permeability, mem-
brane disruption, destruction of electron transport systems, and cell
wall perturbation (40 -41).The high activity of the phenolic compo-
nent may be further explained in terms of the alkyl substitution into
phenol nucleus, which is known to enhance the antimicrobial activity
of phenols. Phenolic compounds, such as thymol and carvacol, are
known to be either bactericidal or bacteriostatic agents depending on
the concentration used (42).
Antifungal Activity
The Ajwain Ethanol Extract (AEE), which was prepared from
Ajwain seeds, was assessed for antibacterial and antifungal activity
against selected pathogenic bacteria and fungi by agar well diffusion
assay. The antifungal activity of the AEE was tested at different growth
periods. The spore suspension from A. ochraceus CFR 221 was in-

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.3.Issue 4.April 2010
AK Pathak et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2010, 3(4),895-899
895-899
oculated on PDA by spread plate technique. AEE (12.5 mg) was added
into the fungus-seeded plate in agar wells on days 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, and
the treated plates were incubated at room temperature (28 ± 2 °C) for
7 days, and observed for zone of inhibition. Fungal toxicity was mea-
sured in terms of percentage of mycelia inhibition calculated. Accord-
ing to the following formula the Inhibitory effects of Ajwain ethanolic
extract on A. ochraceus growth and ochratoxin production.
Percentage of mycelial inhibition = [(dc - dt) / dc] × 100
dc and dt are the average diameter of mycelial colony of control and
tested sets, respectively(43) .The antifungal activity of the AEE was
studied by agar well assay against various fungi (A.flavus, A.
ochraceus, A. niger, A. orzyae, Fusarium moniliforme, Penicillium
sp.) (44).
Nematicidal Activity
Pine wilt disease, caused by the pinewood nematode (PWN),
Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is the most serious problem in Korean
forests. In the nematicidal constituents of oils were identified by GC-
MS analysis. Among identified components of Ajwain oil, nemati-
cidal activity of pinene, camphene, pinene, myrcene, limonene,
terpinene, terpinen- 4-ol, thymol and carvacrol against PWN have
been reported in a previous study (45). Reported that PWN bodies
treated with the muscle activity blockers levamisole hydrochloride
and morantal tatrate usually exhibited semicircular and coiling shapes,
respectively (46). Amino and hydroxyl groups have been hypoth-
esized as target sites of methyl isothiocyanate in nematodes (47).
Some essential oils have been reported to interfere with the
neuromodulator octopamine (48) or GABA-gated chloride channels
of insect pests (49).Thymol and carvacrol were very effective against
PWN. These studies confirm that the nematicidal activity of Ajwain
oil was mainly attributed to the activity of thymol and carvacrol (50).
Anthelmintic Activity
Thymol might exert its anthelmintic activity by interference
with the energy metabolism of parasites through potentiation of AT-
Pase activity and thus loss of energy reserves (51). A dose-depen-
dent response was observed with the crude powder of T. ammi which
exhibited maximum (78.1%) reduction in egg count at 3 g/kg on day 5
post treatment, followed by a smaller (53.3%;) reduction with the
crude aqueous extract (CAE) treated group at 3 g/kg on day 10 post
treatment. An increase in the dose of both crude powder (CP) and
CAE resulted in an increase in and earlier onset of the anthelmintic
activity. The anthelmintic activity of CAE of T. ammi was, however,
more persistent compared with that of CP. The standard anthelmintic
agent levamisole exhibited much higher reduction (99.2%) in egg
count at 7.5 mg/kg. The first scientific evidence of anthelmintic activ-
ity of T. ammi in mixed natural helminth infestations in animals, al-
though preliminary studies of its effect against specific helminths,
e.g. Ascaris lumbricoides in humans and Haemonchus contortus in
sheep, have been reported (52, 53 ). The plant has also been reported
to possess cholinergic activity, which might also be a contributory
factor to its anthelmintic activity, with added effect from the known
facilitatory effect of cholinergic agents on the peristaltic movements
of the gut, thus helping in expulsion of intestinal parasites (54, 55).
Digestive stimulant actions
The addition of T. ammi to the diet reduced food transit time
from 780 minutes (control) to 554 mins, a 29% reduction (p<0.05). The
dietary spices that markedly reduced the food transit time also en-
hanced the activity of digestive enzymes and/or caused a higher
secretion of bile acids. They suggested that the reduction in food
transit time could probably be attributed to an acceleration of the
overall digestive process as a result of increased availability and
potency of digestive secretions (56).
Abortifacient activity
T. ammi that were identified as being commonly used as
abortive plants from a survey in and around the villages of Uttar
Pradesh.The T. ammi seed aqueous extract dosed at 175 mg/kg in rats
(n=5) was 62.5% effective as an abortifacient. In cases where preg-
nancy was continued in spite of herbal drug administration, foetuses
showed various skeletal defects and several other visceral defects;
they expressed concern at the remarkable potential of the putative
abortifacient herbal drugs to affect foetuses adversely, and the large
number of people in rural areas of India who continue to be exposed
to these plants without being fully aware of the potential side effects
(57).
Hypotensive activity
T. ammi seed was ground into a coarse powder and ex-
tracted at room temperature for three Days in 70% aqueous metha-
nol; (yield about 13% based on dry seed). The test substances in-
jected included T. ammi at doses of 3.0, 10.0, 30.0 and 100.0 mg/kg,
and acetylcholine. The T. ammi extract administered Intra veinas was
found to cause a dose-dependent hypotensive effect ranging from
about 6% reduction in mean arterial blood pressure (BP) at a dose of
3.0 mg/kg to about 42% reduction in mean arterial BP at a dose of
100.0 mg/kg. Acetylcholine also caused a hypotensive effect at 1 µg/
kg comparable in magnitude to the effect of T. ammi extract at 30.0 mg/
kg (58).
Detoxification of aflatoxins by Trachyspermum ammi
Aqueous extracts obtained from leaves/seeds of various
medicinal plants were evaluated for their ability to detoxify aflatoxin
G1 (AFG1) by thin-layer chromatography and enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the seed extract of Ajowan
(Trachyspermum ammi (L.) showed the maximum degradation of AFG1
up to 65%. The aflatoxin detoxifying activity of the T. ammi extract
was significantly reduced upon boiling at 100 0C for 10 min. Signifi-
cant levels of degradation of other aflatoxins viz., AFB1 (61%), AFB2
(54%) and AFG2 (46%) by the dialyzed T. ammi extract was also ob-
served. Time course study of AFG1 detoxification by dialyzed T. ammi

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.3.Issue 4.April 2010
AK Pathak et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2010, 3(4),895-899
895-899
extract showed that more than 78% degradation occurred within 6 h
and 91% degradation occurred 24 h after incubation (59).
CONCLUSION
Major thrust by whole of the pharmaceutical industry is
focused towards design and development of new innovative/indig-
enous plant based drugs through investigation of leads from tradi-
tional system of medicine. Recent years, ethno-botanical and tradi-
tional uses of natural compounds, especially of plant origin received
much attention as they are well tested for their efficacy and generally
believed to be safe for human use. It is best classical approach in the
search of new molecules for management of various diseases. Thor-
ough screening of literature available on Trachyspermum ammi de-
picted the fact that it is a popular remedy among the various ethnic
groups, Ayurvedic and traditional practitioners for treatment of ail-
ments. Researchers are exploring the therapeutic potential of this
plant as it has more therapeutic properties which are not known.
REFERENCES
1. Bedin C, Gutkoski B, Wiest JM, Atividade antimicrobiana das especiarias higeiene
alimentar, 13, 1999, 26-29.
2. Foegeding PM, Busta FF, Chemical food preservatives, In: Disinfection, Sterilisation,
and Preservation (ed. S.S.Block). Lea & Febiger, 1991, 802 –832.
3. Sagdic O, Karahan AG, Ozcan M, Effect of some spices extracts on bacterial inhibition,
Food Sci and Techno Int, 9, 2003, 353- 359.
4. Lanciotti R, Gianotti A, Use of natural aroma compounds to improve shelf life of mini-
mally processed fruits, Trends in Food Sci and Techno, 15, 2004, 201-208.
5. The Wealth of India. Publication and Information Directorate, Vol VII,. CSIR, New Delhi,
1959, 268.
6. Nagalakshmi G, Shankaracharya NB, Puranaik.J, Studies on chemical and technologi-
cal aspects of Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) syn (Cerum copticum Hiren) seeds, J of
Food Sci Techno, 37, 2000, 277- 281.
7. Krishna & Badhwar, j sci industr Res, 1953, 12A (2), IP, 1966, 32, 288-289.
8. Treas & Evans Pharmacognosy, international 15th edition 2002, saunder Edinburgh,
NewYork, 2002, 258.
9. Kaur H, Estrogenic activity of some herbal galactogogue constituents, Indian Journal
of Animal Nutrition, 15(3), 1998, 232.
10. Shapiro S, Guggenheim B, The action of thymol on oral bacteria, Oral Microbiol Immunol,
10, 1995, 241-246.
11. Ogaard B, Larsson E, Glans R, Henriksson T, Birkhed D, Journal of Orofacial, Orthope-
dics, Antimicrobial effect of a chlorhexidine-thymol varnish (cervitec) in orthodontic
patients: A prospective, randomized clinical trial, 58, 1997, 206
12. Montes-Belmont R, Carvajal M, Control of Aspergillus flavus in maize with plant es-
sential oils and their components, J Food Prot, 61, 1998, 616.
13. Tsimidou, M, Boskou D, Antioxidant activity of essential oils from the plants of the
Lamiaceae family, In Spices, Herbs and Edible Fungi, ed, G Charalambous, 1994, 273-
284.
14. Menphini A, Pagiotti R, Capuccella M, Antifungal activity of carvacrol chemotypes of
winter savory harvested in Italy, Riv Ital Chem Abstr, 123, 1995, 566-571.
15. Aeschbach R, LoÈ liger J, Scott BC, Murcia A, Butler J, Halli well B, Aruoma OT, An-
tioxidant action of thymol, carvacrol, gingerol, zingerone and hydroxytyrosol, Food
Chem Toxicol, 32, 1994, 31-36.
16. Lagouri V, Blekas G, Tsimidou M, Kokkini S, Boskou D, Composition and antioxidant
activity of essential oils from Oregano plants grown in Greece, Z Lebensmitt, Unters,
Forsch, 197, 1993, 20-23.
17. Wagha SJ, Gujara JG, Gaikar VG, Experimental and modeling studies on microwave-
assisted extraction of thymol from seeds of Trachyspermum ammi (TA), Separation and
Purification Technology, 70, 2010, 257–264.
18. Chialva F, Monguzzi F, Manitto P, Akgül A, Essential oil constituents of Trachyspermum
copticum (L.) Link fruits Journal of Essential Oil Research, 5(1), 1993, 105-106.
19. Choudhury S, Riyazuddin A, Kanjilal PB Leclercq PA, Composition of the seed oil of
Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague from Northeast India, Journal of Essential Oil Re-
search, 10(5), 1998, 588-590.
20. http://www.himalayahealthcare.com/herbfinder/h_trachy.htm accessed 5 Oct 2006.
21. Howard MP, Reynolds RD, Moser PB, Andon MB, McConnell W Acharya S, Special
Foods of High Nutritive Value Consumed by Nepalese Lactating Women, Federation
Proceedings, 44(5), 1985, 1505.
22. Shome U, Rawat AKS Mehrotra S, Time-tested household herbal remedies, Ethnobiology
in human welfare, Jain & Deep Publications, New Delhi, India, 1996, 96-100.
23. Singh VK, Singh S, Singh DK, Pharmacological effects of spices, In Recent Progress in
Medicinal Plants, Vol 2, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology, Stadium Press, Houston
Texas, USA, 2003, 321-353.
24. Vedavathy S, Rao DN, Herbal folk medicine of Tirumala and Tirupati region of Chittoor
district, Andhra Pradesh, Fitoterapia, 66(2), 1995, 167-171.
25. Krishnamoorthy V, Madalageri MB, Bishop Weeds (Trachyspermum ammi) an essen-
tial crop for north Karnatka, Journal of Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences, 21 (4),
1999, 996–998.
26. Berne RM, Levy MN, Physiology, CV Mosby Company, 1988.
27. Chawla AS, Handa SS, Sharma AK, Kaith BS, Plant antiinflammatory agents, J Sci Ind
Res, 46, 1987, 214-223.
28. Nath D, Sethi N, Srivastav S, Jain AK, Srivastava R, Survey on indigenous medicinal
plants used for abortion in some districts of Uttar Pradesh, Fitoterapia, 68(3),1997, 223-
225.
29. Kho JH, Kim JM, Chang UJ, Suh HJ, Hypocholesterolemic effect of hot water extract from
mycelia of Cordyceps, 2002, 24-39.
30. Anwar M, Hakeem MH, Din T, Khan AB, Clinical efficacy of Safo of-e-Luk (powdered
lac) in the management of hyperlipidemia, Hamdard Med, 40(1), 1999, 94-97.
31. Srivastava KC, Extract of Trachyspermum ammi shows antiaggregatory effects and
alters arachidonic acid metabolism in human platelets, Prostaglandins Leukot Essent
Fatty Acids, 33 (1), 1988, 1-6.
32. Dwivedi SK, Dubey NK, Potential use of the essential oil of Trachyspermum ammi
against seed-born fungi of guar, Mycopathologia, 121(2), 1993, 101-104.
33. Aftab k, Rahman KA, Ghani KU, Blood pressure lowering action of active principle from
Trachyspermum ammi (L) Sprague, Phyto-medicine, 2(1), 1995, 35-40.
34. Javed IMS, Akhtar T, Khaliq MZ, Khan G, Muhammad M, Antihyperlipidaemic effect of
Trachyspermum ammi (Ajwain) in rabbits, In: Proc 33rd
All Pak Sci Conf Univ Agri
Faisalaba , 2002, 80-81.
35. Kumari KS, Prameela M, Effect of incorporating Carum copticum seeds in a high fat diet
for albino rats, Medical Science Research, 20(6), 1992, 219-220.
36. Arrigoni ME, Inflammation and anti-inflammatory, Spectrum publication, New York,
1977, 157-161.
37. Thangam C, Dhanajayan R, Antinflammatory potenyial of the seeds of corum copticum
Linn, Indian journal of Pharmacology, 35, 2003, 388-339.
38. Khanuja SPS, Formulation Comprising Thymol useful in the Treatment of Drug Resis-
tance Bacterial infection, CCIR, New Delhi, United state patent no US 6,824,795 b2,
2004.
39. Russel AD, Mechanisms of bacterial resistance to nonantibiotics, food additives and
pharmaceutical preservatives, J of Appl Bacterio, 71, 1991, 91-201.
40. Juven BJ, Kanner J, Sched F, Factors that interact with the antibacterial of thyme essential
oil and its active constituents, J of Appl Microbiol, 76, 1994, 626-631.
41. Cox SD, Mann CM, Markham JL, The mode of antimicrobial action of the essential oil of
Malaleuca alternifolia (tea tree oil), J Appl Microbiol, 88, 2000, 170-175.
42. Caccioni DLR, Guizzardi M, Biondi DM, Relationships between volatile components
of citrus fruit essential oil and antimicrobial action on Penicillium digitatum and Peni-
cillium italicum, Int J Food Microbiol, 88, 2000, 170-175.
43. Tassou CC, Koutsoumanis K, Nychas GJE, Inhibition of Salmonella enteridis and Sta-
phylococcus aureus on nutrient broth by mint essential oil, Food Res Int, 48, 2000, 273-
280.
44. Odhav B, Juglal S, Govinden R, Spices oils for the control of co-occurring mycotoxins
producing fungi, E Food Res Techno, 65, 2002, 683- 687.
45. Pelczar MJ, Chan ECS, Krieg NR, Control of microorganism by physical agents, In
microbiology, Mcgraw Hill International, New York, 1988, 469- 509.
46. Murthy PS, Borse BB, Khanum H, Srinivas P, Inhibitory effects of Ajwain
(Trachyspermum ammi) ethanolic extract on A. ochraceus growth and ochratoxin pro-
duction, Turk J Biol, 33, 2009, 211-217.
47. Singh G, Maurya S, Catalan C, Chemical, antifungal, antioxidative studies of Ajwain oil
and its acetone extract, J Agric Food Chem, 52, 2004, 3292-3296.
48. Choi IH, Shin SC, Park IK, Nematicidal activity of onion (Allium cepa) oil and its
components against the pine wood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), Nematol-
ogy, 9, 2007, 231–235.
49. Kong J, Lee SM, Moon YS, Lee SG, Ahn YJ, Nematicidal activity of plant essential oils
against Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, 9, 2006,
173–178.
50. Wright DJ, Nematicides: Mode of action and new approaches to chemical control,
Zukerman & Rhode ed, Plant Parasitic Nematodes, Vol III, New York, 1981, 421–449.
51. Kostyukovsky M, Rafaeli A, Gileadi C, Demchenko N, Shaaya E, Activation of
octopaminergic receptors by essential oil constituents isolated from aromatic plants:
Possible mode of action against insect pests, Pest Management Science 58, 2002, 1101–
1106.
52. Priestley CM, Williamson EM, Wafford KA, Sattelle DB, Thymol, a constituent of thyme
essential oil, is a positive allosteric modulator of human GABAA receptors and a
homooligomeric GABA receptor from Drosophila melanogaster, British Journal of
Pharmacology, 140, 2003, 1363–1372.
53. Kwon Park Il, Junheon K, Sang-Gil L, Nematicidal Activity of Plant Essential Oils and
Components From Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), Allspice (Pimenta dioica) and
Litsea (Litsea cubeba) Essential Oils Against Pine Wood Nematode (Bursaphelenchus
Xylophilus) Journal of Nematology, 39(3), 2007, 275–279.

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.3.Issue 4.April 2010
AK Pathak et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2010, 3(4),895-899
895-899
54. Tamurab T, Iwamoto H, Thymol: a classical smallmolecule compound that has a dual
effect (potentiating and inhibitory) on myosin, Biochemical and Biophysics Research
Communications, 318, 2004, 786–779.
55. Jabbar A, Iqbal Z, Khan MN, In vitro anthelmintic activity of Trachyspermum ammi
seeds, Pharmacogonosy Magazine, 2, 2006, 126–129.
56. Patel K, Srinivasan K, Studies on the influence of dietary spices on food transit time in
experimental rats, Nutrition Research, 21(9), 2001, 1309-13014.
57. Sethi N, Nath D, Singh RK, Teratological evaluation of some commonly used indig-
enous antifertility plants in rats, International Crude Drug Research, 27, 1989, 118-
120.
58. Gilani AH, Jabeen Q, Ghayur MN, Janbaz KH, Akhtar MS, Studies on the antihyperten-
sive, antispasmodic, bronchodilator and hepatoprotective activities of the Carum
copticum seed extract, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 98(12), 2005, 127-35.
59. Velazhahan R, Vijayanandraj S, Vijayasamundeeswari A, Paranidharan V , Samiyappan
R, Iwamoto T, Friebe B, Muthukrishnan S, 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, 2010,
719–725.
Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared