Effect of Caraway Seed Extract on the Blood Biochemistry and Antioxidant Capacity among the Hyperoxidative Stress-Induced Rats

Carum carvi (Carium) or caraway is traditionally used for the treatment of several metabolic and non-metabolic disorders. In the current study, extracted oil, flavonoids, and alkaloids from the Carium were used to evaluate the effects of these components on blood lipid profile and heart regeneration from oxidative damages caused by hydrogen peroxide consumption. A total of 50 male BALB/c mice were used in this study with a body weight of 23-32 g. The animals were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=10). Group 1: The animals in this group were considered the control group and fed with a normal diet. Group 2: Hyperoxidative stress was induced in this group by giving hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 1% into the drinking water for 6 weeks. After this period, they did not receive any treatments and only received saline solution by intraperitoneal (IP) injection once a day for 4 weeks. Group 3: Hyperoxidative stress was induced by hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 1% for 6 weeks. All the animals in this group received 1.25 mg/kg body weight (B.W.) extracted oil from Caraway seeds for 4 weeks by IP injection once a day each week. Group 4: Hyperoxidative stress was induced by hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 1% for 6 weeks. All the animals in this group received 61.28 mg/kg B.W. extracted flavonoids from Caraway seeds for 4 weeks by IP injection once a day each week. Group 5: Hyperoxidative stress was induced by hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 1% for 6 weeks. All the animals in this group received 7.8 mg/kg B.W. extracted alkaloids from Caraway seeds for 4 weeks by IP injection once a day each week. The levels of glutathione and malondialdehyde were estimated in the liver and kidneys in the animals with cardiovascular disorders induced by hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 1%. The results of the current study showed that the alkaloids had the greatest effect in reducing harmful total cholesterol and a complete recovery of the heart and aorta from atherosclerotic lesions through viewing the tissue sections.