Effect of Spices on hepatic microsomal enzyme function in mice

The effect of twenty two spices on liver microsomal monooxygense activity was tested as measured by alteration of hexobarbital (HB) narcosis and strychnine mortality in mice. Oral administration of seven spices for 7 consecutive days caused a significant shortening of the duration of HB-induced sleeping time. The treatment of mice with a single i. p. injection of 9 spices resulted in a significant prolongation of the sleeping time. White pepper, dill and fennel reduced the toxicity of strychnine. These results strongly indicated that some spices might affect the activity of liver microsomal drug metabolizing enzyme (DME) function.