Effects of Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) and its combination with cyclophosphamide on Ehrlich solid tumors

Background Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a spice and exhibits potent antioxidant and biological activities through distinct molecular mechanisms. However, the anticancer effect of cardamom was not explored yet in Ehrlich solid tumor (EST)-bearing mice. Objectives This investigation was aimed to evaluate the anti-cancer effects of green cardamom (GCar) alone or combined with the anti-cancer drug cyclophosphamide in an in vivo model to explore its mechanistic role in tumor cell death in EST-bearing mice. Methods Ehrlich ascites tumor cells were injected in the mice and 5 days later the animals treated with GCar and/or cyclophosphamide for 10 days. Twenty-four hours from the last treatment, animals were sacrificed for the different measurements. Results Data recorded for tumor size, percentage of tumor growth inhibition, tumor growth delay and mean survival time of EST-bearing mice demonstrated the effective role of GCar alone or combined with CPO as a promising anti-cancer agent because it reduced tumor size. GCar elevated the mean survival time of EST-bearing mice compared to that of untreated EST and EST + CPO groups. Analysis of qPCR mRNA gene and protein expression revealed that GCar alone or combined with CPO were promising anticancer agents. After the treatment of EST with GCar, the apoptotic-related genes and proteins were significantly modulated. GCar induced markedly significant decreases in oxidative stress biomarkers and a significant increment in glutathione levels and that of antioxidant enzymes. With a marked diminish in liver and kidney function biomarkers. Conclusion The results revealed that GCar could serve as an apoptotic stimulator agent, presenting a novel and potentially curative approach for cancer treatment, inducing fewer side effects than those of the commercially used anti-cancer drugs, such as CPO.

Anti-biofilm Potential of Elletaria cardamomum Essential Oil Against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium JSG 1748

Foodborne pathogens, microbial recurrent infections, and antibiotic resistance have driven researchers to explore natural compounds as safe alternative antimicrobials. In this study, the chemical profile, antimicrobial, and mutagenic activities of the Elletaria cardamomum essential oil were investigated. GC-MS analysis identified the major bioactive components as α-terpinyl acetate, 1,8-cineole, linalool acetate, and sabinene, at concentrations of 34.95, 25.30, 8.13, and 5.48% respectively, of the essential oil’s content. Regarding antimicrobial activity, the minimum inhibitory concentration of green cardamom essential oil was 1% against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 14213. Green cardamom essential oil, when used at concentrations of 0.015, 0.031, 0.062, and 0.125% (v/v) prevented biofilm formation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by 64.29, 65.98, 70.41, and 85.59%, respectively. Furthermore, these concentrations inhibited 6.13, 45.50, 49.45, and 100%, respectively, of the Salmonella Typhimurium JSG 1748 biofilm. A mutagenicity assay confirmed that green cardamom essential oil has no demonstrable mutagenic activity against the tested strains. The study’s findings suggest that green cardamom derived bioactive compounds are safe organic antimicrobials, effective in controlling biofilm formation by Gram-negative pathogens. Moreover, such compounds could possibly be used in the food industry (e.g., bakery, dairy, meat, and other food products) as a safe alternative to chemical preservatives (antimicrobials) to enhance shelf life by improving the antimicrobial status while at the same time imparting a pleasant and appealing aroma for consumers.

Green Cardamom Plus Low Calorie Diet Can Decrease Inflammatory Genes Expression Among Obese Women With Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome, A Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

PurposePolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of endocrine disorder and infertility among womenin which is related with low grade inflammation. Therefore, this current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlledclinical trial assessed the effects of green cardamom supplementation on inflammatory markers and gene expressionamong obese women with PCOS.MethodsWe included 194 obese PCOS women that gave all of them low calorie diet. These subjects were randomlydivided in two studied groups including intervention with 3 g/day green cardamom (n=99) and placebo groups (n=95).Anthropometric indices, androgen hormones, and inflammatory factors (tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), Interleukin6 (IL-6), and C- reactive protein (CRP)) were assessed before and after four months intervention. Their TNF-α, IL-6,and CRP genes expression level were measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)method.ResultsAnthropometric indices were improved in both two studied groups (P<0.001). Among androgen hormonesluteinizing hormone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone were significantly decreased (P<0.001), as wellas, follicle-stimulating hormone was significantly increased (P<0.001) in the green cardamom group. Our findingsshowed that TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP serum were significantly decreased after the intervention with green cardamomplus low calorie diet (P<0.001). In addition, the expression level of TNF-α and CRP genes were significantly decreasedin intervention groups (P<0.001).ConclusionsThis present study support the beneficial anti-inflammatory effect of green cardamom on theinflammatory status in the PCOS women.Level of evidenceLevel I, randomized clinical trialTrial registrationThis trial was registered with the Iranian Clinical Trials Registry (registration number:IRCT20200608047697N1). 1 August, 2020; https://www.irct.ir/trial/48748

Effects of Green Cardamom Supplementation on Obesity and Diabetes Gene Expression Among Obese Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; A Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disease in which related obesity, metabolic disorders and is considered as one of the main causes of infertility in women. This trial was investigated the effects of green cardamom on obesity and diabetes genes expression among obese women with PCOS.Methods194 PCOS women were randomly divided two groups: intervention (n= 99; 3 g/day green cardamom) and control groups (n=95). All of them were given low calorie diet. Anthropometric, glycemic and androgen hormones were assessed before and after 16 weeks’ intervention. Fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO), Peroxisome proliferative activating Receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase 1A (CPT1A), Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase Beta (ACAB), Leptin Receptor (LEPR), Gherlin, and lamin A/C (LAMIN) genes in PBMC were measured in each group using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.ResultsAnthropometric indices were significantly decreased after intervention in both two studied groups. Glycemic indices and androgen hormones were significantly improved in the intervention group. The expression level of FTO, CPT1A, LEPR, and LAMIN were significantly down-regulated (P<0.001), as well as, PPAR-y was significantly up-regulated in the intervention group after intervention with green cardamom (P<0.001). ConclusionThis current study showed that the administration of green cardamom is a beneficial approach for improving of anthropometric, glycemic and androgen hormones, as well as, obesity and diabetes genes expression in PCOS women under low calorie diet. This trial was registered with the Iranian Clinical Trials Registry (registration number: IRCT20200608047697N1). 1 August, 2020; https://www.irct.ir/trial/48748