An Update on Pharmacological Properties of Cumin

Cumin commonly known as Jeera commonly used in the house hold work as spice. Cumin(Cuminum cyminum) is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae It is an ancient spice which history dates back to use in Egypt used by Greeks, references in middle age Europe. It is usually used both as whole seed or ground in any curry dish which makes it one of the most important of all Indian spices and asflavouring agent. Despite of its flavouring property, cumin has been found to possess various pharmacological activities such as antimicrobial, antidaibetic, antiepileptic antifertility, anticancer, antioxidant and Immunomodulatory due to the presence of various chemical constituents 2.5 to 4.5% volatile oil, 10% fixed oil and proteins, volatile oil mainly consists of 30 to 50% cuminaldehyde, small quantities of a-pinene, b-pinene, phellandrene, cuminic alcohol, hydrated cuminaldehyde and hydro cuminine which make it suitable for medicinal purpose. It is also used an appetite stimulant and thought to relieve stomach disorders such as diarrhea and dysentery. Hence, in this review we are highlighting the important therapeutic and medicinal properties of cumin seeds so that various researches can be carried out to explore its medicinal potential.