Antimicrobial activity of Elettaria cardamomum: Toxicity, biochemical and histological studies

Elettaria cardamomum is one of the most broadly used spices in Moroccan gastronomy. Its antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species was demonstrated. Likewise, its toxicity was investigated on Swiss albinos mice. Daily, mice were treated orally with 0.003 and 0.3 mg during 7 days. Plasmatic markers and antioxidant defence systems were assessed and histological alterations were evaluated. A significant increase in creatine phosphokinase level was observed. The microscopic evaluation shows that E. cardamomum induce morphological perturbation in mice's heart. The results show also an inhibitory effect of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and an important increase in the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, succinate dehydrogenase and catalase activities. Results show that E. cardamomum induces toxicity at 0.3 mg/g mouse and affect energy metabolism and oxidative stress. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.