Hypoglycemic Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Carum carvi L. Seeds in Normal and Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Herbal medicine has been used for many years by different cultures around the world for the treatment of diabetes. Objective: The hypoglycemic effect of caraway ethanolic extract (Carum carvi L.) was investigated in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Intraperitoneal administration of caraway ethanolic extract seeds (0.1, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg body wt.) on the level of serum glucose and insulin in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were evaluated. Before administration and 1, 3 and 5 h after administrations of the ethanolic extract, blood samples were drawn from the retro-orbital sinus. Serum glucose and insulin levels were determined. Results: The results showed that the caraway ethanolic extract seeds at doses 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg body wt. significantly decreased serum glucose and insulin in diabetic rats in 3 and 5 h but not in healthy rats. Conclusions: It could be proofed that the traditional use of caraway as a hypoglycemic agent is justified and that extract from this plant show a dose-dependent hypoglycemic activity.