A Review on Iranian Carum copticum (L.): Composition and Biological Activities

Aims: This paper examined thoroughly chemical composition and biological properties of Carum copticum.

Study Design: Introduction on curtain characteristic of medicinal Ajowan (Carum copticum (L.)).

Place and Duration of Study: Center of Agricultural Biotechnology, University of Zabol, 2015.

Introduction: Carum copticum medicinal plant with the scientific name of Carum copticum Heirn is belong to Umbelliferae family and Trachyspermum copticum genus and the Latin name of the species Ajowan is also similar to the local pronunciation Sistani ajqu. Herbaceous plants, annuals and native Sistan region that has existed since ancient times in the area of medication and had been used to therapy; Carum copticum is wild in eastern India, Iran and Egypt, and in the same area as many points with the same weather were cultured. The plant's most important ecological regions in Iran, Sistan and Baluchistan, Azerbaijan, Isfahan, Khuzestan, Fars, Kerman and Khorasan.

Conclusion: The fruits of this plant essences 4%, and that's the most important ingredient thymol, 45 per cent. The main object of this essential oil contains as much as 5.22 percent γ-terpinen, p-cymene rate of 22 percent, and other compounds such as α-pinene, Cymene, limonene, Pinene, Dipentene, Terpinene and Carvacrol with smaller amounts of oil. Ajowan or plant seeds are antispasmodic, tonic, stimulant, carminative and is commonly used in making linoleum that enters for pain relief. Crushed and taken internally as a remedy to relieve stomach disorders, liver and throat problems, cough, rheumatism administered. Ajowan is rich source of thymol, known antiseptics, carminative, and tonic, strengthen the stomach, as well as to interrupt acute abdominal pain or diarrhea, relieve indigestion, colic and prescribed medication abuse. The root decoction is also used as a diuretic and carminative and also Ajowan can be against some microbes such as Salmonella Typhosa, Micros-Porum Progenies and Escherichia effect. In addition, Carum copticum products in powder form, Deodorant, ointments, lotions and solutions offered in the market.