Chemopreventive effects of Cuminum cyminum in chemically

induced forestomach and uterine cervix tumors in murine

model systems.
Gagandeep
1
, Dhanalakshmi S, Mndiz E, Rao AR, Kale RK.
Author information
Abstract
Lately, a strong correlation has been established between diet and cancer. For ages, cumin has been
a part of the diet. It is a popular spice regularly used as a flavoring agent in a number of ethnic
cousins. In the present study, cancer chemopreventive potentials of different doses of a cumin seed-
mixed diet were evaluated against benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]-induced forestomach tumorigenesis and 3-
methylcholanthrene (MCA)-induced uterine cervix tumorigenesis. Results showed a significant
inhibition of stomach tumor burden (tumors per mouse) by cumin. Tumor burden was 7.33 +/- 2.10 in
the B(a)P-treated control group, whereas it reduced to 3.10 +/- 0.57 (P < 0.001) by a 2.5% dose and
3.11 +/- 0.60 (P <0.001) by a 5% dose of cumin seeds. Cervical carcinoma incidence, compared with
the MCA-treated control group (66.67%), reduced to 27.27% (P < 0.05) by a diet of 5% cumin seeds
and to 12.50% (P < 0.05) by a diet of 7.5% cumin seeds. The effect of 2.5 and 5% cumin seed-mixed
diets was also examined on carcinogen/xenobiotic metabolizing phase I and phase II enzymes,
antioxidant enzymes, glutathione content, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lipid peroxidation in the
liver of Swiss albino mice. Levels of cytochrome P-450 (cyt P-450) and cytochrome b5 (cyt b(5)) were
significantly augmented (P < 0.05) by the 2.5% dose of cumin seed diet. The levels of cyt P-450
reductase and cyt b(5) reductase were increased (significance level being from P < 0.05 to P < 0.01)
by both doses of cumin. Among the phase II enzymes, glutathione S-transferase specific activity
increased (P < 0.005) by the 5% dose, whereas that of DT-diaphorase increased significantly (P <
0.05) by both doses used (2.5 and 5%). In the antioxidant system, significant elevation of the specific
activities of superoxide dismutase (P < 0.01) and catalase (P < 0.05) was observed with the 5% dose
of cumin. The activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase remained unaltered by
both doses of cumin. The level of reduced glutathione measured as nonprotein sulfhydryl content was
elevated (significance level being from P < 0.05 to P < 0.01) by both doses of cumin. Lipid
peroxidation measured as formation of MDA production showed significant inhibition (P < 0.05 to P <
0.01) by both doses of cumin. LDH activity remained unaltered by both doses of cumin. The results
strongly suggest the cancer chemopreventive potentials of cumin seed and could be attributed to its
ability to modulate carcinogen metabolism.

Effect of coconut cake on the bacterial enzyme activity in 1,2-
dimethyl hydrazine induced colon cancer.
Nalini N
1
, Manju V, Menon VP.
Author information
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Colon cancer is one of the most common forms of malignant tumors in humans, and its incidence is
increasing. Since the intestinal microflora is directly in contact with the colonic cells, the enzymes of
the bacterial microflora may also play a role in colon carcinogenesis. We studied the activity of
bacterial enzymes in experimental colon cancer.
METHODS:
Twenty milligrams per kilogram body weight of 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine (DMH) was administered
subcutaneously once a week for first 15 weeks and then discontinued. Coconut cake (25%) was
mixed in the diet and given to 30 rats to study the diet effect throughout the experimental period. After
30 weeks, the macroscopic findings in the colon as well as the incidence of tumors in 30 rats was
recorded in each group and the activity of beta-glucuronidase and mucinase was estimated in the
tissues, colon and fecal contents of 10 rats per group.
RESULTS:
Average number of tumors in the colon as well as the incidence of cancer was significantly increased
in DMH-treated rats which was markedly reduced on supplementing coconut cake. DMH injections
significantly elevated both the activities of beta-glucuronidase (distal colon, distal intestine, liver and
colon contents) and mucinase (colon and fecal contents) as compared to the control rats. The
increase in beta-glucuronidase activity may augment the hydrolysis of glucuronide conjugates,
liberating the toxins, while the increase in mucinase activity may enhance the hydrolysis of the
protective mucins in the colon. Coconut cake supplementation to DMH-treated rats significantly
decreased the incidence and number of tumors as well as the activity of beta-glucuronidase and
mucinase.
CONCLUSIONS:
Coconut cake has a protective effect against DMH induced colon cancer by virtue of its ability to lower
the activities of the microbial enzymes beta-glucuronidase and mucinase.

Influence of spices on the bacterial (enzyme) activity in
experimental colon cancer.
Nalini N
1
, Sabitha K, Viswanathan P, Menon VP.
Author information
Abstract
In the presence of a known colon carcinogen, 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine (DMH), the activity of beta-
glucuronidase was found to be significantly increased in the distal colon, distal intestine, liver and
colon contents and the activity of mucinase was increased in both the colon and fecal contents when
compared to control rats. Chilli (Capsicum annum L., Solanaceae) administration also showed an
increase when compared to control rats, whereas supplementation with cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.,
Apiaceae) and black pepper (Piper nigrum L., Piperaceae) in the presence of DMH, showed more or
less similar values as that of the control rats. The increase in beta-glucuronidase activity may
increase the hydrolysis of glucuronide conjugates, liberating the toxins, while the increase in
mucinase activity may enhance the hydrolysis of the protective mucins in the colon. Thus cumin and
black pepper may protect the colon by decreasing the activity of beta-glucuronidase and mucinase.
Histopathological studies also showed lesser infiltration into the submucosa, fewer papillae and lesser
changes in the cytoplasm of the cells in the colon in cumin and black pepper groups when compared
to the DMH and chilli treated animals.

Fenugreek affects the activity of -glucuronidase and mucinase in the colon
1. T. Devasena and
2. Venugopal P. Menon
*

Article first published online: 27 OCT 2003
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1331
Keywords:
-Glucuronidase;
Mucinase;
Dimethylhydrazine;
Fenugreek;
Colon cancer
Abstract
The effect of fenugreek seeds on the activities of -glucuronidase and mucinase during 1,2-dimethylhydrazine
(DMH)-induced colon carcinogenesis in rats was studied. Rats were given a weekly subcutaneous injection of
DMH at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight, for 15 weeks. Fenugreek seed powder was weighed depending upon
the weight of individual rats and incorporated in the powdered pellet diet at a dose of 2 g/kg body weight. After an
experimental period of 30 weeks the activity of -glucuronidase signicantly increased in the colon, intestine, liver
and colon contents in DMH administered rats when compared to an untreated control group. Increase in -
glucuronidase may increase the hydrolysis of carcinogen-glucuronide conjugate, liberating carcinogen and/or co-
carcinogen within the colonic lumen. Inclusion of fenugreek seed powder in the diet signicantly decreased the
activity of -glucuronidase in all the tissues studied. This may prevent the free carcinogens from acting on
colonocytes. Mucinase helps in hydrolysing the protective mucin. Mucinase activity was increased in the colon
content and fecal content of animals given DMH when compared to control, while the activity was signicantly
reduced in animals given DMH + fenugreek when compared to animals given DMH only. Our study shows that
supplementation of fenugreek seeds in the diet inhibits colon carcinogenesis, by modulating the activities of -
glucuronidase and mucinase. The benecial effect may be attributed to the presence of bre, avonoids and/or
saponins. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.