A study of the digestive stimulant action of select spices in experimental rats.

A few spices, which are commonly employed to improve digestion in traditional systems of medicine were examined for
their possible influence on digestive enzymes of pancreas and small intestine in experimental rats. In one set of animals, the
spices-ajowan, fennel, coriander, onion, garlic and mint were given through the diet for 8 weeks. In another experiment, the same
spices were administered orally as an appropriate single dose to animals. Pancreatic trypsin was significantly stimulated by all
the dietary spices examined except mint, while chymotrypsin was stimulated by coriander and onion. These two spices also
had a significant stimulating influence on intestinal disaccharidases and alkaline phosphatase. Most of the spices tested in this
study showed significant enhancing effect on intestinal enzymes, particularly lipase and amylase, when given as a single oral
dose, while similar beneficial effects were not observed on pancreatic enzymes. Among the spices examined, onion
produced a pronounced stimulation of a majority of digestive enzymes of pancreas and small intestine. The positive influences
on th: pancreatic and intestinal digestive enzymes exerted by spices could contribute to their well recognised digestive stimulant
action.