THE HYPOGLYCAEMIC AND HYPOCHOLESTEROLAEMIC PROPERTIES OF BLACK CARAWAY (Carum carvi L.) OIL IN ALLOXAN DIABETIC RATS.

Abstract

The effect of 10 mg Black caraway oil/kg body weight orally administered to normal and diabetic rats was investigated.  The oil was able to significantly ameliorate the diabetes-induced loss of body weight of the rats.  Treatment of diabetic rats with the oil significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the hyperglycaemia and hypercholesterolaemia by 55% and 74% respectively.  The increases in serum and liver total proteins and liver total lipids brought about by diabetes were prevented by treatment with the oil.

    It can thus be concluded that Black caraway oil has hypoglycaemic and hypocholesterolaemic effects in diabetic rats and also prevents lipid infiltration of organs such as the liver.  These findings are significant in view of the prevalence of diabetes and other lipid-related ailments such as fatty liver, arterosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases, especially in urban populations.