Written by James C. Morton Jr., Staff Writer. In a placebo-controlled, clinical research study, aniseed and coriander significantly decreased lipid oxidation in erythrocytes (50 %), plasma (21%) and increased (100%) antioxidant factors compared to the baseline and control groups.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus affects 27 million people in the United States 1. It is characterized by the body’s diminished cellular ability to respond to the pancreas hormone, insulin, to transport glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream and into tissues or muscles. When this occurs the body fails to properly metabolize glucose (blood sugar), and this leads to hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose) 2. It’s estimated that 86 million people have prediabetes conditions, and the healthcare cost to maintain or treat the condition in the United States was $245 billion a year in 2012. Patients with diabetes present with high levels of oxidative stress of proteins, red blood cells, and lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL) 3,4.
The most popular treatment approach for Type 2 diabetes patients is the use of prescription medication related to insulin injections or other chemicals, like metformin or sulfonylureas, to control the blood glucose levels in the body 5. Unfortunately, these chemicals or insulin dosages can be costly or come with side effects, in addition to requiring lifetime usage. Uncontrolled blood glucose levels can lead to heart and kidney disease, blindness, nerve damage, pregnancy complications, amputation, and stroke.
Fortunately, a 2011 study 6 revealed that aniseed (Pimpenella anisum) and coriander (Coriandrum satuvum) seeds reduces oxidative and hyperglycemic factors that can lead to diabetic complications and associated diseases. Sixty non-insulin diabetic men and women were divided into 3 groups of 20 per group. They received the following 60-day protocol:
Group 1: Aniseed powder – 5 grams daily
Group 2: Coriander seed powder – 5 grams daily
Group 3: Placebo
After 60 days, researchers noted the following: p-value < or = 0.05 = Significant
| Group 1 = Aniseed | Group 2 = Coriander Seed | Control | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting Glucose (mg/dl) | 36% Decrease (from 190.5 to 122.2) p<0.001 | 13% Decrease (from 138.8 to 120.8) p<0.001 | 11% Increase (from 185.2 to 206.0) p<0.001 |
| Triglycerides (mg/dl) | 15% Decrease (from 222.4 to 189.2) p<0.001 | 30% Decrease (from 214.5 to 149.6) p<0.001 | 1.4% Increase (from 214.0 to 217.1) p= 0.4 |
| Cholesterol (mg/dl) | 8% Decrease (from 238.1 to220.1) p<0.001 | 15% Decrease (from 222.0 to 189.0 p<0.01 | 1.0% Increase (from 238.0 to 239.0) p = 0.4 |
| Oxidation Factors | Group 1 = Aniseed | Group 2 = Coriander Seed | Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protein Oxidation | 38% Decrease (from 0.0068 to 0.0042) p<0.001 | 50% Decrease (from 0.0060 to 0.0030) p<0.001 | 5.6% Increase (from 0.0051 to 0.0054) p<0.01 |
| Erythrocyte (RBC) Lipid Oxidation | 51% Decrease (from 10.8 to 5.32) p<0.001 | 49% Decrease (from 9.84 to 5.02) p<0.001 | 97% Increase (from 5.12 to 10.1) p<0.001 |
| Plasma Lipid Oxidation | 21% Decrease (from 434.1 to 341.2) p<0.001 | 24% Decrease (from 419.0 to 317.0) p<0.001 | 0.1% Increase (from 419.8 to 420.3) p = 0.5 |
In addition, the Aniseed group had a 11% and 7% decreases in LDL and VLDL respectively, while the coriander seed group had 9% and 31% decreases in LDL and VLDL respectively. Both had significant increases in antioxidants beta-carotene, and vitamins A, C, and E (p<0.01).
When suggesting how aniseed and coriander seed benefits those with type 2 diabetes, researchers pointed to the seeds strong antioxidant 7-9 and scavenger ability of oxygen free radicals 9 to prevent oxidative stress that can lead to abnormal metabolic function of beta-cells of the pancreas and damage cellular membranes. The seeds also increase glutathione function 10 that protects the liver and kidneys against toxins and free radicals, and helps decrease fasting glucose by increasing the function of essential vitamins 11,12. They went on to conclude that the levels of VLDL’s did not change significantly, though the seeds decrease lipid concentration in serum and help lower blood glucose. This affords them medicinal and therapeutic effects for type 2 diabetic patients.
Source: Rajeshwari U, Shobha I, Andallu B. Comparison of aniseeds and coriander seeds for antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities. Spatula DD-Peer Reviewed Journal on Complementary Medicine and Drug Discovery. 2011;1(1):9-16.
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Posted February 6, 2017.
References:
- Association AD. Diabetes Basics: Type 2. Diabetes Type 2 Overview. Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/?loc=hottopics. Accessed January 17, 2017, 2017.
- Clinic M. Hyperglycemia in Diabetes. Overview of high blood sugar in diabetes. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperglycemia/basics/definition/con-20034795. Accessed January 17, 2017, 2017.
- WebMD. Types of Diabetes Mellitus. Overview of types of diabetes. Available at: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/types-of-diabetes-mellitus#1. Accessed January 17, 2017, 2017.
- CDC. Diabetes Latest. 2014; Fact Sheet of latest diabetes statistics. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/features/diabetesfactsheet/. Accessed January 17, 2017, 2017.
- CDC. Treating Diabetes. 2013; Overview of Treating Diabetes. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/statistics/treating_national.htm. Accessed January 17, 2017, 2017.
- Rajeshwari U, Shobha I, Andallu B. Comparison of aniseeds and coriander seeds for antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities. Spatula DD-Peer Reviewed Journal on Complementary Medicine and Drug Discovery. 2011;1(1):9-16.
- Gutteridge J, Halliwell B. Antioxidants in nutrition, health, and disease. Oxford University Press; 1994.
- Johansen JS, Harris AK, Rychly DJ, Ergul A. Oxidative stress and the use of antioxidants in diabetes: linking basic science to clinical practice. Cardiovascular diabetology. 2005;4(1):5.
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- Dinçer Y, Alademir Z, İlkova H, Akçay T. Susceptibility of glutatione and glutathione-related antioxidant activity to hydrogen peroxide in patients with type 2 diabetes: effect of glycemic control. Clinical biochemistry. 2002;35(4):297-301.
- Atalay M, Laaksonen DE, Khanna S, Kaliste-Korhonen E, HÄnninen O, Sen CK. Vitamin E regulates changes in tissue antioxidants induced by fish oil and acute exercise. Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 2000;32(3):601-607.
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