Abstract
Blood glucose and total lipid levels of normal and alloxantreated diabetic rabbits were determined after oral administration of various doses of the Cuminum nigrum L. seeds and their extracts in water and methanol. From the data obtained, it is concluded that the oral administration of 1, 2, 3 and 4 g/kg of C. nigrum seeds produces a significant hypoglycaemic effect in normal as well as in diabetic rabbits. The water and methanol extracts also decreased the blood glucose level in normal and alloxan-diabetic rabbits. However, the total blood lipids were not influenced by this substance in either normal or diabetic rabbits. The acute toxicity studies carried out on rabbits could not reveal any adverse or side effects of this folk medicine at the dosages tested. It is suggested that the C. nigrum seeds contain one or more hypoglycaemic principles which can significantly reduce the blood glucose but not total lipids level in normal rabbits and in those with alloxan-induced diabetes.
