Researchers tested whether cardamom extract could protect rats’ hearts and kidneys from damage caused by a cancer drug and unhealthy diet. They found that cardamom extract reduced harmful inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) in the rats’ bodies. The extract worked better at higher doses and appeared to activate protective pathways in cells. While these results are promising, this study was done in rats, so scientists will need to test whether cardamom has the same protective effects in people before recommending it as a treatment.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether cardamom extract could prevent or reduce heart and kidney damage caused by a combination of a cancer drug (cisplatin) and eating a high-fat diet.
  • Who participated: Laboratory rats that were given a high-fat diet and then treated with cisplatin to create heart and kidney problems similar to a condition called cardiorenal syndrome.
  • Key finding: Rats treated with cardamom extract showed significant improvements in heart and kidney function, reduced inflammation, and less cellular damage compared to untreated rats. The higher dose of cardamom (200 mg/kg) worked better than the lower dose (100 mg/kg).
  • What it means for you: Cardamom may have protective properties for heart and kidney health, but this research was done in rats. Much more testing in humans is needed before cardamom can be recommended as a medical treatment. It’s too early to use this as a reason to change your diet or take cardamom supplements for heart or kidney protection.

The Research Details

Scientists created a disease model in rats by feeding them a high-fat diet and then giving them cisplatin (a chemotherapy drug that can damage organs). This combination caused the rats to develop cardiorenal syndrome, a condition where both the heart and kidneys don’t work properly. The researchers then gave some rats cardamom extract at two different doses (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) for one month while continuing their treatment. They measured various markers of heart and kidney health, inflammation, and cellular damage in the rats’ blood and urine. The team also analyzed the cardamom extract in a laboratory to identify which compounds it contained and tested how these compounds might work at the cellular level using computer modeling.

This research approach is important because it allows scientists to carefully control all the variables and see cause-and-effect relationships. By using rats with artificially induced disease, researchers can test whether cardamom extract actually prevents or reduces damage, rather than just observing what happens naturally. The combination of measuring real biological changes in the animals with computer modeling of how the compounds work provides both practical evidence and theoretical understanding of the mechanism.

This study was published in a peer-reviewed journal, which means other experts reviewed the research before publication. The researchers measured multiple markers of health rather than just one outcome, which strengthens their conclusions. However, this is an animal study, so results may not directly apply to humans. The study doesn’t specify the exact number of rats used, which makes it harder to evaluate the statistical power. The researchers used appropriate control groups and measured outcomes objectively, which are positive quality indicators.

What the Results Show

Rats that received cisplatin and a high-fat diet developed cardiorenal syndrome with clear signs of damage: high levels of oxidative stress (harmful cellular damage), inflammation, and impaired heart and kidney function. When researchers treated these sick rats with cardamom extract, the results improved significantly. Both the low dose (100 mg/kg) and high dose (200 mg/kg) of cardamom extract reduced oxidative stress and inflammation markers. The high dose was more effective than the low dose, suggesting a dose-response relationship. Heart function markers improved, and kidney function tests (measured in both blood and urine) showed better results in treated rats compared to untreated rats with the disease.

The researchers identified the active compounds in cardamom extract, finding that rosmarinic acid and gallic acid were the main protective ingredients. These compounds showed strong antioxidant activity, meaning they can neutralize harmful free radicals in cells. Using computer modeling, scientists discovered that these cardamom compounds can interact with specific cellular pathways (the Hippo signaling pathway) that are involved in cell protection and survival. This suggests that cardamom may work through multiple protective mechanisms in the body.

This research builds on existing knowledge that spices and plant extracts contain compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Previous studies have shown that cardamom has some protective effects, but this is one of the first studies to specifically test it against cardiorenal syndrome. The findings align with other research showing that natural compounds can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which are key factors in heart and kidney disease. However, most previous research on cardamom has been limited in scope, so this more comprehensive study adds important new information.

This study was conducted entirely in rats, so the results may not directly translate to humans. Rats metabolize drugs and compounds differently than people do, and their physiology differs in important ways. The study doesn’t specify how many rats were used, making it impossible to fully evaluate the statistical reliability of the findings. The research used a specific disease model (cisplatin plus high-fat diet) that may not perfectly represent how cardiorenal syndrome develops in humans. Additionally, the study only lasted one month, so we don’t know if the protective effects would continue long-term or if tolerance would develop. The study also doesn’t compare cardamom extract to standard medical treatments, so we can’t say whether it would be better or worse than existing medications.

The Bottom Line

Based on this animal research, cardamom extract shows promise for protecting heart and kidney health, but it is too early to recommend it as a medical treatment. Current evidence level: Low (animal studies only). If you have heart or kidney disease, do not use cardamom supplements as a replacement for prescribed medications. If you’re interested in cardamom for general health, using it as a culinary spice in cooking is safe and may provide some benefits, but don’t expect it to treat existing disease. Consult your doctor before taking any supplements, especially if you have heart or kidney problems or take medications.

This research is most relevant to scientists studying natural compounds for heart and kidney disease, pharmaceutical researchers looking for new drug leads, and people interested in preventive nutrition. People with existing heart or kidney disease should not change their treatment based on this study. People taking cisplatin chemotherapy should not use cardamom as a protective measure without medical supervision. Healthy people may be interested in this research as it suggests cardamom might have protective properties, but more evidence is needed. Healthcare providers should be aware of this research when counseling patients about dietary supplements.

In this rat study, improvements appeared after one month of treatment. If cardamom were eventually proven effective in humans, it would likely take weeks to months to see measurable benefits. However, we cannot predict a realistic timeline for humans based on animal studies alone. Clinical trials in humans would be needed to determine how quickly benefits appear, how long they last, and whether the effects are sustained with continued use.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users could track cardamom consumption (amount and frequency) alongside heart health markers they monitor with their doctor, such as blood pressure readings or cholesterol levels. However, given the early stage of research, this should be tracked as a general dietary habit rather than an expected medical intervention.
  • Users interested in cardamom could add it to their daily diet through cooking (curries, coffee, tea, baked goods) rather than taking supplements. This allows them to explore the spice while maintaining a balanced approach. The app could suggest cardamom-containing recipes and track overall dietary patterns that support heart and kidney health.
  • Rather than expecting cardamom alone to improve health markers, users should track overall lifestyle factors: diet quality, exercise, stress levels, and any health metrics their doctor monitors. If users choose to use cardamom, they should continue regular medical check-ups and not reduce any prescribed medications. The app could help users maintain a food diary that includes cardamom intake while monitoring broader wellness patterns over months.

This research was conducted in laboratory rats and has not been tested in humans. Cardamom extract should not be used as a replacement for prescribed medications for heart or kidney disease. If you have heart disease, kidney disease, or are undergoing chemotherapy, consult your doctor before using cardamom supplements. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always speak with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or making changes to your treatment plan.