An aqueous extract from roasted seeds of Carum copticum (omum) has cholinomimetic effects. It shows muscarinic effects on rabbit duodenum, guinea-pig ileum and rat jejunum, and on the blood pressure of rat and cat. These effects are blocked by atropine. It also has a nicotinic action on the frog rectus preparation and atropinized cat blood pressure. Its effect is potentiated by physostigmine and antagonized by cholinesterase or alkalinization. Paper and gas chromatography have confirmed the presence of acetylcholine and choline in the roasted omum seed extract.Aqueous extracts from seeds of Carum copticum (Benth.) f. Umbelliferae (commonly known as omum or Bishop's weed) are used in household remedies and also as a spice in food in India. A watery extract of omum seeds is used to relieve gripe in children. In diarrhoea, either roasted omum seeds are taken, or a watery extract made from them is given as a draught. In the present study the pharmacological effects of cold or hot aqueous extracts of whole or ground seeds of Carum copticum were investigated. MethodsPreparation of omum extracts Aqueous extracts were made by leaving the seeds of Carum copticum (10 g to 100 ml) either in cold or hot water for a period of 4 hours. These were designated as follows: (1) extract from whole seeds soaked in cold water (at room temperature of about 250 C) (OE 1); (2) extract from powdered seeds soaked in cold water (OE 2); (3) infusion with whole seeds (OE 3); (4) whole seeds roasted to dark brownish hue in a glass pan, added to water and left (OE 4). The fourth procedure is the one adopted commonly in households for preparing a draught against diarrhoea. I Present address: Psychopharmacology program,

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The effect of excess leucine in the diet on serotonin metabolism in the brain was investigated in experimental animals. It was found that: