Antidiabetic influence of dietary cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum) in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Cumin seed (Cuminum cyminum), a commonly consumed spice was examined far a possible anti-diabetic influence in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. An eight week dietary regimen containing cumin powder (1.25%) was found to Le remarkably beneficial, as indicated by reduction in hyperglycaemia and glucosuria. This was also accompanied by improvement in body weights of diabetic animals on the cumin diet. Dietary cumin also countered other metabolic alterations as revealed by lowered blood urea level and reduced excretions of urea and creatinine by diabetic animals. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.