Abstract
GC-MS analysis of the essential oil of Elletaria cardamomum seeds purchased from the Egyptian market (Guatemala origin) and prepared by hydrodistillation (sample I) and n-hexane extraction (sample II) revealed the presence of 63 compounds. Both were found respectively rich in monotrpenes (46.40 % and 39.74 %), esters (38.92 % and 12.36 %), aromatic hydrocarbons (21.61 % only in sample II), sesquiterpenes (2.73 % and 3.59 %), sesquiterpene alcohols (12.64 % and 10.73 %), aldehydes (2.34 % only in sample II) and aliphatic hydrocarbons (0.27 % and 2.36 %). 1, 8-cineole, terpineol, terpinyl ester were the major constituents in the oil samples. MS analysis of the five compounds isolated from the waxy residue of the n-hexane extract indicated the presence of: cholest-8(14)-en-ol acetate, 3β-hydroxy-5,7,22-ergostatriene, β-sitosterol, isopalmitic acid (14-methyl pentadecanoic acid) and palmitic acid. The effect of the essential oil on CCl
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-induced liver damage in rats showed a reduction in lipid peroxidation and levels of serum enzymes alanin transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). On the other hand, there was a significant increase in the trace minerals (copper, zinc and selenium) and glutathione.