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The yield and quality of cumin ( Cuminum cyminum L.) medicinal plant are significantly affected by water stress. Producing a synthetic variety of cumin using polycross breeding can be an appropriate method for optimizing the biosynthesis of metabolites to create high-yielding, drought-tolerant plants with higher metabolite content and antioxidant properties. Therefore, a comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate the impact of drought stress on seed yield, metabolite content, antioxidant properties of ethanolic, methanolic, and aqueous extracts, essential oil content and composition, fatty acid composition, and physical seed traits of the synthetic variety of cumin in comparison with several parental genotypes over two growing seasons under normal irrigation (100% field capacity) and drought stress (30% field capacity) conditions. The results showed a 79.58%, 12.78% and 12.89% increase in seed yield, protein and carbohydrate content of the synthetic cultivar compared to the average of the parental genotypes under drought stress conditions. The decreasing effect of drought stress on the physical traits of seeds including 1000-seed weight, area, circumference, length and width of the seed in the synthetic cultivar (6.31, 20.84, 17.56, 9.44 and 7.45% respectively) was much less than that of the parental genotypes (9.67, 31.82, 18.56, 19.76 and 11.99% respectively). Under drought stress conditions, the synthetic cultivar had the highest essential oil content (3.11%) and oil content (12.04%). Also, in the synthetic variety, the amount of the main active compound of the essential oil (cumin aldehyde) and oil (oleic acid) also increased more due to drought stress. The synthetic variety had higher content of secondary metabolites (phenol, flavonol and flavonoid) and antioxidant properties, especially under drought stress conditions. Ethanol was also identified as the most suitable solvent for the extraction of polyphenolic compounds and antioxidant power. These findings suggest that producing a synthetic variety can be a suitable option for breeding high-quality cumin in arid regions. The results of this study can be utilized in breeding programs to develop drought-tolerant cumin varieties and other related plants with high yield and quality.

Cumin ( Cuminum cyminum L.) is a herbal annual plant cultivated in semi-dried areas, Cumin has been used as a traditional medicine since ancient time. This study aimed at the morphological and molecular characterization of Cumin plants cultivated in various locations of Syria. The following indicators were used in the morphological characterization (plant height, number of branches, number of umbels, number of flowers, seeds dimensions, number of seeds, yield and flower color). The dendrogram based on morpho-agronomic traits showed that the plants from Idlib sites (Saraqib, Khan-Sheikhoun) were more similarity in morphological traits, Correlation analysis showed that plant height and the number of seeds had the highest relationship with yield. For molecular characterization the inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) technigue was used, 26 primers were used, resulting in 1241 bands, with an average 47.4% bands per primer, polymorphism bands were 308, whith an average 27.3%. Dendrogram analysis separated the plants into two clusters, Plants cultivated in Aleppo (Al-Sfiera), Al-Hassaka (Aljaudih), Rif-demashek (Bit saber) and Hama (Salamih) sites were the closest genetically, Mantel test between genetic diversity and morphology was not significant. These results indicated multi genetic resources for cumin accessions in Syria.

Cumin is an annual, aromatic, herbaceous, medicinal, spice plant, most widely used as a food additive and flavoring agent in different cuisines. The study is intended to comprehensively analyse physiological parameters, biochemical composition and metabolites under salinity stress. Seed germination index, rate of seed emergence, rate of seed germination, mean germination time, plant biomass, total chlorophyll and carotenoid contents decreased concomitantly with salinity. In contrast, total antioxidant activity, H2O2, proline and MDA contents increased concurrently with stress treatments. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were decreased initially about 1.4-fold at 50 mM, and thereafter increased about 1.2-fold at 100 mM NaCl stress. Relative water content remained unchanged up to 50 mM NaCl stress, and thereafter decreased significantly. About 2.8-fold electrolyte leakage was found in 50 mM, which increases further 4-fold at 100 mM NaCl stress. Saturated fatty acids (FAs) increased gradually with salinity, whereas unsaturation index and degree of unsaturation change arbitrarily along with the percent quantity of unsaturated FAs. Total lipid and fatty acid composition were significantly influenced by salinity stress. A total of 45 differentially expressed metabolites were identified, including luteolin, salvianolic acid, kaempferol and quercetin, which are phenolic, flavonoid or alkaloids in nature and contain antioxidant activities. Additionally, metabolites with bioactivity such as anticancerous (docetaxel) and antimicrobial (megalomicin) properties were also identified. The study evidenced that plant shoots are a rich source of metabolites, essential amino acids, phenolic compounds and fatty acids, which unveil the medicinal potential of this plant, and also provide useful insight about metabolic responses under salinity stress.

Developing drought-tolerant crop varieties is essential for sustainable agriculture and food security, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. This study introduces a newly developed cumin variety ( Cuminum cyminum L.), a high-value medicinal plant, bred for enhanced resilience against drought stress. The synthetic variety was evaluated over three growing seasons under normal irrigation (field capacity) and severe drought stress (30% of field capacity) conditions. Results indicated that the synthetic variety exhibited a 71.59% higher seed yield, 46.53% greater chlorophyll a content, 24.03% more total chlorophyll, and a 52.90% increase in proline accumulation under drought stress compared to parental genotypes. Under drought stress conditions, the enzymatic activity of catalase, peroxidase, and ascorbate peroxidase was 131.81%, 122.05%, and 264.78% higher, respectively, in the synthetic variety compared to the parental genotypes, contributing to its improved drought tolerance. Furthermore, the synthetic variety demonstrated a 95.02% increase in essential oil content and favorable shifts in essential oil composition under stress conditions. Molecular analysis using ISSR markers revealed significant genetic diversity with polymorphic percentages ranging from 66.67 to 100%. Clustering and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) confirmed clear distinctions between the synthetic variety and its parental genotypes. These findings highlight the synthetic cumin variety as a promising candidate for sustainable agriculture in water-limited regions, combining drought tolerance with superior agricultural productivity.

A new biorefinery approach has been developed in the present study, and applied on cumin (Cuminum cyminum) seeds as a potential source of phytochemicals of interest. Cumin is a popular spice used widely for its distinctive aroma. It is a rich reserve of both vegetable and essential oils. The biorefinery approach here focused on the evaluation of the influence of four different geographical origins (i.e., Lebanon, France, Algeria and Syria) on oil yield and quality in cumin seed, and on the valorization of remaining by-products by investigating their nutritional content and biological activity for the first time. Vegetable and essential oils were extracted, and their compositions were determined. Nutritional traits were also assessed. The delipidated and hydrodistillated cakes just as aromatic water were characterized for their fiber, sugar, protein, phenol and flavonoid contents. Antibacterial and antioxidant activities were also determined. Cumin seeds showed high contents in both vegetable and essential oils, proteins and sugars regardless their origin. Moreover, this Apiaceae species exhibited high levels of petroselinic fatty acid (an isomer of oleic acid) and sterols. Cakes and aromatic water also presented high levels of proteins, fibers, sugars and phenols. These residues revealed interesting antioxidant and antibacterial activities. These results emphasized the potential use of cumin in a biorefinery concept, with a multi-purpose industrial process. In addition, large differences were observed between the four geographical origins for phytochemical contents and compositions. These findings highlight the perspectives for developing selection programs for nutritional traits and industrial interests. All obtained results validate the health promoting effect of cumin composition as well as its industrial importance along with the residues.

Cumin is an annual, herbaceous, medicinal, aromatic, spice glycophyte that contains diverse applications as a food and flavoring additive, and therapeutic agents. An efficient, less time consuming, Agrobacterium-mediated, a tissue culture-independent in planta genetic transformation method was established for the first time using cumin seeds. The SbNHX1 gene, cloned from an extreme halophyte Salicornia brachiata was transformed in cumin using optimized in planta transformation method. The SbNHX1 gene encodes a vacuolar Na+/H+ antiporter and is involved in the compartmentalization of excess Na+ ions into the vacuole and maintenance of ion homeostasis Transgenic cumin plants were confirmed by PCR using gene (SbNHX1, uidA and hptII) specific primers. The single gene integration event and overexpression of the gene were confirmed by Southern hybridization and competitive RT-PCR, respectively. Transgenic lines L3 and L13 showed high expression of the SbNHX1 gene compared to L6 whereas moderate expression was detected in L5 and L10 transgenic lines. Transgenic lines (L3, L5, L10 and L13), overexpressing the SbNHX1 gene, showed higher photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoid), and lower electrolytic leakage, lipid peroxidation (MDA content) and proline content as compared to wild type plants under salinity stress. Though transgenic lines were also affected by salinity stress but performed better compared to WT plants. The ectopic expression of the SbNHX1 gene confirmed enhanced salinity stress tolerance in cumin as compared to wild type plants under stress condition. The present study is the first report of engineering salt tolerance in cumin, so far and the plant may be utilized for the cultivation in saline areas.

Wound healing is a complex, intricate, and dynamic process that requires effective therapeutic management. The current study evaluates the wound healing potentials of methanolic extract of Cuminum cyminum L. seeds (CCS) in rats. Sprague Dawley (24) rats were distributed into four cages, wounds produced on the back of the neck, and received two daily topical treatments for 14 days: A, rats received normal saline; B, wounded rats treated with intrasite gel; C and D, rats received 0.2 mL of 250 and 500 mg/kg of CCS, respectively. After that, wound area and closure percentage were evaluated, and wound tissues were dissected for histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical examinations. Acute toxicity trials of methanolic extract of CCS showed the absence of any physiological changes or mortality in rats. CCS application caused a significant reduction in wound size and a statistically elevated percentage of wound contraction than those of vehicle rats. CCS treatment caused significant up-regulation of collagen fiber, fibroblasts, and fewer inflammatory cells (inflammation) in granulation tissues. TGF-β1 (angiogenetic factor) was significantly more expressed in CCS-treated rats in comparison to normal saline-treated rats; therefore, more fibroblasts transformed into myofibroblasts (angiogenesis). CCS-treated rats showed remarkable antioxidant potentials (higher SOD and CAT enzymes) and decreased MDA (lipid peroxidation) levels in their wound tissue homogenates. Hydroxyproline amino acid (collagen) was significantly up-regulated by CCS treatment, which is commonly related to faster wound closure area. The outcomes suggest CCS as a viable new source of pharmaceuticals for wound treatment.

The rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae is one of the primary insects that infest stored grains, causing both quantitative and qualitative losses. The use of synthetic pesticides to control it has led to the emergence of several problems related to human health and the environment, which has prompted the search for safer alternatives for their control. In this study, the effectiveness of two essential oils, cumin ( Cuminum cyminum ) and basil ( Ocimum basilicum ), was evaluated as insecticides for controlling the rice weevil at three different times intervals and various concentrations. (GC-MS) analysis revealed that both oils contain several key compounds, such as procanal (26.07%), ˠ- terpinene (15.78%), for C. cyminum and linalool (56.7%), cadinol, epi-α (11.4%) for O. basilicum , in addition to some secondary components. The results showed that, the lethal concentration (LC 50 ) of cumin was 49%, 45%, and 33% lower than that of basil at the 24, 48, and 72-h assessment periods, respectively demonstrating the superiority of cumin over basil. Regarding the effects on the levels of certain enzymes activity, the results indicated that both oils had a significant impact on the activity of both enzymes ALP and GOT, while there was no significant effect on (GOT), α-amylase, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) compared to control. Based on the obtained results, it can be concluded that tested essential oils could be developed as a safe and effective alternatives for controlling rice weevil.

Abstract The antifungal and antimycotoxigenic activities of the essential oils (EO) from Cuminum cyminum and Laurus nobilis, and their respective principal compounds, cuminaldehyde and 1,8-cineole, were evaluated against fungi of the genus Aspergillus: A. carbonarius, A. niger, A. ochraceus, and A. westerdijkiae. The antifungal activity was determined by the contact method and the mycelial growth of the fungi was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images were obtained to suggest modes of action of the compounds analysed. The antimycotoxigenic activity was determined by high-performance liquid chromatograph. Aspergillus carbonarius was completely inhibited by cumin EO (500 µl l−1), by laurel EO and by cuminaldehyde (5000 µl l−1). The cumin EO (500 µl l−1) completely inhibited the growth of A. niger. All the samples inhibited the mycelial growth of A. ochraceus, especially cumin EO and cuminaldehyde (250 µl l−1). Aspergillus westerdijkiae was completely inhibited by cumin EO and cuminaldehyde (1000 µl l−1), by laurel EO and 1,8-cineole (10 000 µl l−1). A decrease in the production of ochratoxin A (OTA) was observed post-treatment, except in A. ochraceus, only inhibited by laurel EO. SEM images showed morphological changes in fungal structures and spore inhibition post-treatment. The results confirmed the antifungal and antimycotoxigenic effect of EO and their principal constituents on fungi evaluated. Effect of essential oils and standard compounds on mycotoxigenic fungi.

Bunch rot in grapes is an aggressive disease and needs to be controlled during the postharvest period. We investigate the antifungal potential of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim., Zanthoxylum rhetsa , Cuminum cyminum , Coriandrum sativum , and Zingiber montanum (J. Koenig) Link ex A. Dietr. essential oils against Aspergillus aculeatus that cause bunch rot disease on postharvest grapes. C . cyminum essential oil exhibited stronger significantly inhibition percentage of 95.08% than other treatments in in vitro assay. Cumin aldehyde (33.94%) and α-terpinen-7-al (32.20%) were identified as major volatile compounds in C . cyminum oil. Antifungal potential of C . cyminum oil was then tested in conidia germination and in vitro tests compared to cumin aldehyde and α-terpinen-7-al. Their EC 50 values against the conidial germination were also estimated. Significant reduction of conidia germination was also detected in C . cyminum essential oil and cumin aldehyde at a concentration of 1,000 and 100 μg/mL, respectively. EC 50 values of the C . cyminum essential oil, cumin aldehyde, and α-terpinen-7-al were 67.28 μg/mL, 9.31 μg/mL, and 13.23 μg/mL, respectively. In vivo assay, the decrease of the disease severity (0.69%) and incidence (1.48%) percentage of A . aculeatus on grape berries treated at 1,000 μg/mL of C . cyminum essential oil was significantly greater than that obtained from other treatments after 10 days incubation. In addition, grape berries treated with C . cyminum essential oil decreased weight loss and retained fruit firmness. The changing of total soluble solids, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity are also delayed in treated fruits. Therefore, essential oil of C . cyminum may be applied as a biological antifungal agent to control A . aculeatus in postharvest grapes without any negative effects on its quality.