Antidiabetic Activity of Ajwain Oil in Different In Vitro Models

CONTEXT: Ajwain oil is an essential oil with thymol as its major constituent which is known for many pharmacological activities. AIMS: To evaluate the anti-hyperglycaemic potential of ajwain oil using different in vitro models. METHODS AND MATERIAL: In vitro α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory effect of ajwain oil was carried out by the method of Bernfeld and Shibano et al. 1997 with minor modifications respectively. Cytotoxicity of the ajwain oil was assessed using MTT assay. Glucose uptake potential was assessed in differentiated L6 myotubes using fluorescent tagged 6-NBDG. RESULTS: Ajwain oil showed very good α – amylase inhibitory activity. A maximum inhibition of 88.55 ±0.43 % was achieved at a concentration of 4µL/ml by ajwain oil which was comparable to that of standard acarbose, 90.96 ± 1.81%. The IC(50) of the extract was found to be 0.47µL/ml and for acarbose 0.69µL/ml. The maximum in vitro α – glucosidase inhibitory activity was found to be 89 ± 0.72 % and 91.67 ± 1.09% at 4µL/ml for ajwain oil and acarbose. The IC(50) of the extract and acarbose were found to be 0.37µL/ml and 0.41µL/ml respectively. Ajwain oil has enhanced glucose uptake in L6 myotubes in a dose dependent manner. CONCLUSION: The anti-hyperglycaemic activity of the ajwain oil strongly support its ability to decrease sugar level hence it may be further validated for its use as an antidiabetic agent.