Persian cumin
Caraway/Drug Interactions:
AntibioticsAntibiotics: Caraway extracts have exhibited in vitro antimicrobial activity against numerous organisms including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptomyces venezuelae (10), Shigella dysenteriae 1 and Shigella flexneri (similar to the activity of ampicillin) (11), Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Vibrio cholera (12; 13), Helicobacter pylori (46; 47; 44; 45), and others (2). Caraway also has been shown to contain high concentrations of calcium and magnesium (68); this may theoretically alter the absorption of certain antibiotics. AnticonvulsantsAnticonvulsants: In animal study, (s)-(+)-carvone, a major component of caraway oil, exhibited anticonvulsant activity (3). Antidiabetic agentsAntidiabetic agents: In rat study, caraway oil reduced blood glucose (32). In diabetic rats, extracts of caraway and caper fruit exhibited potent antihyperglycemic activity without affecting basal plasma insulin concentrations (33). Antifungal agentsAntifungal agents: In vitro, caraway exhibited significant antifungal activity against Saccharomyces pastorianus, Candida albicans, Rhizopus nigricans, Aspergillus (fumigatus, niger, parasiticus, ochraceaus), Penicillium digitatum, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium moniliforme, Epidermatophyton, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9). Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: In animal study, caraway has been found to reduce serum cholesterol and triglycerides (32; 49). Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: Epidemiological study suggests that caraway may decrease the risk of colorectal cancer (21). Animal study has shown caraway to exhibit antineoplastic activity, particularly in models of skin and colorectal cancer (18; 15; 16; 17; 30; 22; 23; 24; 20; 15). Caraway extracts have exhibited antimutagenic effects and inhibited the growth of tumor cell lines in vitro (19; 14). Antispasmodic agentsAntispasmodic agents: Human (1; 43; 64) and animal (52; 99; 100) study have demonstrated an antispasmodic effect attributed to peppermint/caraway oil preparations. The effects of caraway alone, however, are unclear. Antituberculosis agentsAntituberculosis agents: In animal study, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and isoniazid interacted with a natural product (CC-1a) derived from caraway seed (67). CC-1a enhanced the plasma levels of these drugs. Antiulcer agentsAntiulcer agents: In human study, components of caraway essential oil have been shown to cause local stimulation of the gastric mucosa, resulting in an eructation of air from the stomach and an increase in gastric secretion (64; 101; 102). Calcium saltsCalcium salts: Caraway has been shown to contain high concentrations of calcium (68). CNS depressantsCNS depressants: (S)-(+)-carvone, a major component of caraway oil, has been found to increase sedation and decrease in ambulation (3). Cytochrome P450-metabolized agentsCytochrome P450-metabolized agents: In cell culture, caraway seed extract suppressed induction of gene expression and enzyme activity of cytochrome P450 1A1 in rat hepatoma cells (25). DiureticsDiuretics: In rat study, caraway fruit extract exhibited strong diuretic action (34). Iron saltsIron salts: In rat study, a caraway beverage promoted the absorption of iron (103). LevothyroxineLevothyroxine: Caraway has been shown to contain high concentrations of calcium (68). Theoretically, this may affect elimination of medications, such as levothyroxine, that need to be taken several hours before or after calcium supplements. LithiumLithium: In rat study, caraway fruit extract exhibited strong diuretic action (34) and theoretically may alter lithium levels. Magnesium supplementsMagnesium supplements: In human study, caraway has been shown to contain high concentrations of magnesium (68). Caraway/Herb/Supplement Interactions:
AntibacterialsAntibacterials: Caraway extracts have exhibited in vitro antimicrobial activity against numerous organisms including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptomyces venezuelae (10), Shigella dysenteriae 1 and Shigella flexneri (similar to the activity of ampicillin) (11), Salmonella typhi, Shigella dysenteriae, Vibrio cholera (12; 13), Helicobacter pylori (46; 47; 44; 45), and others (2). Caraway also has been shown to contain high concentrations of calcium and magnesium (68); this may theoretically alter the absorption of certain antibacterials. AnticonvulsantsAnticonvulsants: In animal study, (s)-(+)-carvone, a major component of caraway oil, exhibited anticonvulsant activity (3). AntifungalsAntifungals: In vitro, caraway exhibited significant antifungal activity against Saccharomyces pastorianus, Candida albicans, Rhizopus nigricans, Aspergillus (fumigatus, niger, parasiticus, ochraceaus), Penicillium digitatum, Botrytis cinerea, Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium moniliforme, Epidermatophyton, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (4; 5; 6; 7; 8; 9). AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In animal study caraway has been found to reduce serum cholesterol and triglycerides (32; 49). AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: Epidemiological study suggests that caraway may decrease the risk of colorectal cancer (21). Animal study has shown caraway to exhibit antineoplastic activity, particularly in models of skin and colorectal cancer (18; 15; 16; 17; 30; 22; 23; 24; 20; 15). Caraway extracts have exhibited antimutagenic effects and inhibited the growth of tumor cell lines in vitro (19; 14). AntioxidantsAntioxidants: In in vitro study, the amount of caraway needed for 50% inhibition of lipid peroxide was 2100mcg and 1150mcg for hydroxyl radicals (27). In contrast, there is a report describing pro-oxidative effects of caraway due to hydrogen peroxide, which may be an autoxidation product of certain monoterpenes present in caraway essential oil (26). There is a report on the antioxidant properties of caraway essential oil and the stability during storage of its extracts, but further information is lacking (104). AntispasmodicsAntispasmodics: Human (1; 43; 64) and animal (52; 99; 100) study have demonstrated an antispasmodic effect attributed to peppermint/caraway oil preparations. The effects of caraway alone, however, are unclear. Antiulcer agentsAntiulcer agents: In human study, components of caraway essential oil have been shown to cause local stimulation of the gastric mucosa, resulting in an eructation of air from the stomach and an increase in gastric secretion (64; 101; 102). CalciumCalcium: Caraway has been shown to contain high concentrations of calcium (68). CaperCaper: In diabetic rats, extracts of caraway and caper fruit exhibited potent antihyperglycemic activity without affecting basal plasma insulin concentrations (33). Cytochrome P450-metabolized herbs and supplementsCytochrome P450-metabolized herbs and supplements: In cell culture, caraway seed extract suppressed induction of gene expression and enzyme activity of cytochrome P450 1A1 in rat hepatoma cells (25). DiureticsDiuretics: In rat study, caraway fruit extract exhibited strong diuretic action (34). HypoglycemicsHypoglycemics: In rat study, caraway oil reduced blood glucose (32). In diabetic rats, extracts of caraway and caper fruit exhibit potent antihyperglycemic activity without affecting basal plasma insulin concentrations (33). Insect repellantsInsect repellants: Caraway exhibited larvicidal potential against mosquito vectors (Anopheles dirus, the major malaria vector in Thailand, and Aedes aegypti, the main vector of dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever in urban areas) (54). IronIron: In rat study, a caraway beverage promoted the absorption of iron (103). MagnesiumMagnesium: In human study, caraway has been shown to contain high concentrations of magnesium (68). Perillyl alcohol-containing herbsPerillyl alcohol-containing herbs: Perillyl alcohol is a constituent of caraway. According to secondary sources, caraway oil may augment the effects of other perillyl alcohol-containing herbs.ProbioticsProbiotics: In vitro, caraway essential oil inhibited the growth of potential gastrointestinal pathogens without affecting beneficial bacteria (2). SedativesSedatives: (S)-(+)-carvone, a major component of caraway oil, has been found to increase sedation and decrease in ambulation (3). Caraway/Food Interactions:
Calcium-containing foodsCalcium-containing foods: Caraway has been shown to contain high concentrations of calcium (68). CaperCaper: In diabetic rat study, extracts of caraway and caper fruit exhibited potent antihyperglycemic activity without affecting basal plasma insulin concentrations (33). Iron-containing foodsIron-containing foods: In rat study, a caraway beverage promoted the absorption of iron (103). Magnesium-containing foodsMagnesium-containing foods: In human study, caraway has been shown to contain high concentrations of magnesium (68). ProteinProtein: In rat study, the influence of a mixture of 11 spices, including caraway seeds, decreased the true protein digestibility of boiled winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) and horsegram (Dolichos biflorus) nonsignificantly (105). An increase was observed in the biological value of both the legumes at both levels of protein tested. Caraway/Lab Interactions:
Aluminum levelsAluminum levels: Caraway has been shown to contain high concentrations of aluminum (68) and may increase aluminum levels. Blood glucoseBlood glucose: In rat study, caraway oil reduced blood glucose (32).Calcium levelsCalcium levels: Caraway has been shown to contain high concentrations of calcium (68) and may increase calcium levels. ElectrolytesElectrolytes: In rat study, caraway fruit extract exhibited strong diuretic action (34). Lipid profileLipid profile: In animal study, caraway has been found to reduce serum cholesterol and triglycerides (32; 49). LithiumLithium: In rat study, caraway fruit extract exhibited strong diuretic action (34) and theoretically may alter lithium levels. Magnesium levelsMagnesium levels: In human study, caraway has been shown to contain high concentrations of magnesium (68) and may increase magnesium levels.