• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.983-987
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• 2014

Nigella sativa (N sativa), commonly known as black seed, has been used in traditional medicine to treat many diseases. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities of N sativa extracts are well known. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the anticancer activity of seed extract (NSE) and seed oil (NSO) of N sativa against a human lung cancer cell line. Cells were exposed to 0.01 to 1 mg/ml of NSE and NSO for 24 h, then percent cell viability was assessed by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-biphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and neutral red uptake (NRU) assays, and cellular morphology by phase contrast inverted microscopy. The results showed NSE and NSO significantly reduce the cell viability and alter the cellular morphology of A-549 cells in a concentration dependent manner. The percent cell viability was recorded as 75%, 50%, and 26% at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/ml of NSE by MTT assay and 73%, 48%, and 23% at 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/ml of NSE by NRU assay. Exposure to NSO concentrations of 0.1 mg/ml and above for 24 h was also found to be cytotoxic. The decrease in cell viability at 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/ml of NSO was recorded to be 89%, 52%, 41%, and 13% by MTT assay and 85%, 52%, 38%, and 11% by NRU assay, respectively. A-549 cells exposed to 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/ml of NSE and NSO lost their typical morphology and appeared smaller in size. The data revealed that the treatment of seed extract (NSE) and seed oil (NSO) of Nigella sativa significantly reduce viability of human lung cancer cells.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1811-1816
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• 2009

An extensive phytochemical investigation of the polar fractions of a methanolic extract of Egyptian medicinal food, black cumin (seeds of Nigella sativa L.) led to the isolation of two new triterpene saponins, named sativosides A and B (1-2), along with four known saponins (3-6). Sativoside A (1) is the first example of saponins containing 18-ene triterpene aglycon not only in this Nigella genus but also in the family Ranunculaceae. The structure of the new saponins was elucidated mainly by a combination of 1D and 2D NMR data, together with HRFABMS and acid hydrolysis. Three compounds (1-3) showed the significant inhibition effect of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187-induced production of IL-6 in a human mast cell (HMC-1) line.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.158-172
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• 2017

Nigella sativa (N. sativa, family Ranunculaceae) is a medicinal plant that has been widely used for centuries throughout the world as a natural remedy. A wide range of chemical compounds found in N. sativa expresses its vast therapeutic effects. Thymoquinone (TQ) is the main component (up to 50%) in the essential oil of N. sativa. Also, pinene (up to 15%), p-cymene (40%), thymohydroquinone (THQ), thymol (THY), and dithymoquinone (DTQ) are other pharmacologically active compounds of its oil. Other terpenoid compounds, such as carvacrol, carvone, 4-terpineol, limonenes, and citronellol, are also found in small quantities in its oil. The main pharmacological characteristics of this plant are immune system stimulatory, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, anti-tussive, milk production, uricosuric, choleretic, anti-fertility, and spasmolytic properties. In this regard, we have searched the scientific databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar with keywords of N. sativa, anti-cancer, apoptotic effect, antitumor, antioxidant, and malignancy over the period from 2000 to 2017. The effectiveness of N. sativa against cancer in the blood system, kidneys, lungs, prostate, liver, and breast and on many malignant cell lines has been shown in many studies, but the molecular mechanisms behind that anti-cancer role are still not clearly understood. From among the many effects of N. sativa, including its anti-proliferative effect, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, ROS generation, anti-metastasis/anti-angiogenesis effects, Akt pathway control, modulation of multiple molecular targets, including p53, p73, STAT-3, PTEN, and $PPAR-{\gamma}$, and activation of caspases, the main suggestive anti-cancer mechanisms of N. sativa are its free radical scavenger activity and the preservation of various anti-oxidant enzyme activities, such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione-S-transferase. In this review, we highlight the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and the anti-cancer effects of N. sativa, with a focus on its molecular targets in apoptosis pathways.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.240-245
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• 2005

The effect of aqueous and alcoholic extract of seeds of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) was studied on the spontaneous movements of the whole worm (w.w) preparation and nerve muscle (n.m) complex of Setaria cervi (S. cervi). Both the extracts caused inhibition of spontaneous movements of the w.w and n.m complex characterized by initial stimulation followed by irreversible paralysis, with the exception that aqueous extract produced a partially reversible paralysis of w.w preparation. Lesser concentration of both the extracts was required to inhibit the movements of n.m complex than the w.w. Suggesting a cuticular permeability barrier. The lethal concentration $50\;(LC_{50})$ and lethal concentration $90\;(LC_{90})$ were 30 and 55 ng/ml for aqueous and 45 and 60 ng/ml for alcoholic extracts respectively.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.739-744
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• 2009

This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic action of administration of Nigella sativa (NS) and Peganum harmala (PH) oils in diabetes and hepatic toxicity. Results show that treatment of diabetic rats with NS oil or PH oil ameliorate hyperglycaemia induced stress oxidative and hepatic dysfunction in diabetic rats. Administration of NS or PH oil to diabetic rats caused an anti-diabetic and antioxidant activities by the decrease in plasmatic glucose level and increase in hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, reduced glutathione (GSH) and glycogen contents compared to untreated diabetic rats. Besides, NS and PH oils protect the hepatic function observed by decrease of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TCh), and increase of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-Ch) levels in serum and hepatic tissues. Moreover, a diminution in the bilirubin, transaminase glutanic pyruvic (TGP), and transaminase pyruvic oxaloacetic (TPO) contents in serum and the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances levels (TBARs) in hepatic tissues are also detected.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2003

This study was designed to investigate the effects of main constituents of Nigella sativa (NS) seed on the survival and CNS responses in experimental animals. The toxicological investigations were conducted for the determination of median lethal doses $(LD_{50})$ of NS seed constituents [i.e. aqueous extract (AE), fixed oil (FO), volatile oil (VO)] and main components of its VO [i.e. thymoquinone (TQ), ${\alpha}-pinene$ (AP) and p-cymene (PC)]. A part of this study includes evaluation NS constituents in the induction of minimal neurological deficit (MND) as a parameter for neurotoxicity using chimney test. In this study, the i.p. $LD_{50}$ values of AE, FO, VO, TQ (suspended In 0.5%CMC), TQ (dissolved in corn oil), AP and PC, were 3020, 3371, 1853, 616.6, 90.3, 1726 and 1523 mg/kg, respectively. All the NS constituents can be considered moderately toxic ($LD_{50}$ ranged from 616.6 to 3371 mg/kg), except the oily solution of TQ, which was very toxic ($LD_{50}$ was 90.3 mg/kg). It appeared that the toxicity of the whole VO is mainly due to its content of TQ and to some extent PC. All the NS constituents induced different degrees of MND at certain dose levels. The median neurotoxic (or sedating) doses $(TD_{50})$ of AE, FO, VO, TQ (suspended in CMC) and AP and PC, were 950, 1403, 306, 88.1, >173 and 368 mg/kg, respectively. TQ was the most potent component in inducing MND, whereas the FO and AE were the least. Neurotoxicity induced by the VO in the chimney test may refer basically to its contents of TQ and to some extent PC and AP.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.653-659
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• 2014

Surgery remains the preferred treatment for hydatid cyst (cystic echinococcosis, CE). Various scolicidal agents have been used for inactivation of protoscolices during surgery, but most of them are associated with adverse side effects. The present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro scolicidal effect of Nigella sativa (Ranunculaceae) essential oil and also its active principle, thymoquinone, against protoscolices of hydatid cysts. Protoscolices were aseptically aspirated from sheep livers having hydatid cysts. Various concentrations of the essential oil (0.01-10 mg/ml) and thymoquinone (0.125-1.0 mg/ml) were used for 5 to 60 min. Viability of protoscolices was confirmed by 0.1% eosin staining. Furthermore, the components of the N. sativa essential oil were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). Our study revealed that the essential oil of N. sativa at the concentration of 10 mg/ml and its main component, thymoquinone, at the concentration of 1 mg/ml had potent scolicidal activities against protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus after 10 min exposure. Moreover, thymoquinone (42.4%), p-cymene (14.1%), carvacrol (10.3%), and longifolene (6.1%) were found to be the major components of N. sativa essential oil by GC/MS analysis. The results of this study indicated the potential of N. sativa as a natural source for production of a new scolicidal agent for use in hydatid cyst surgery. However, further studies will be needed to confirm these results by checking the essential oil and its active component in in vivo models.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2017

Objectives: Aging is an unconscious and gradual process that can lead to changes in biological systems. Induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis, hepatotoxicity and neurotoxicity are involved in the aging process. Regarding the antioxidant property of black seed oil, the aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-aging effect of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) oil on d-galactose-induced aging in mice. Methods: For induction of aging, D-galactose (500 mg/kg, subcoutaneously SC) was administrated to male mice for 42 days. Animals were treated with D-galactose alone or with b lack seed oil (0.1, 0.2, 0.5 mL/kg, intraperitoneally (ip)). Additionally, vitamin E (200 mg/kg) was used as a positive control. At the end of treatment, the malondialdehyde (MDA) and the glutathione (GSH) contents in brain and liver tissues were measured. Also, enzymes in serum, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT), were determined. The levels of the proteins Bax, Bcl2, caspase-3 (pro and cleaved) in brain and liver tissues were evaluated. Results: Administration of D-galactose (500 mg/kg, SC) for 42 days increased serum levels of ALT and AST, as well as the MDA content, in brain and liver tissues, but decreased the GSH content. Additionally, the levels of apoptotic proteins, including Bax, procaspase-3 and caspase-3 cleaved, were markedly increased. N. sativa oil (0.1 and 0.2 mL/kg) diminished the levels of the biochemical markers ALT and AST. Administration of black seed oil (0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 mL/kg) reduced lipid peroxidation and at doses 0.1 and 0.2 mL/kg significantly recovered the GSH content. The oil decreased Bax/Bcl2 levels and at 0.1 mL/kg down-regulated the expressions of caspase-3 (pro and cleaved) proteins in brain and liver tissues. Conclusion: Through its antioxidant and anti-apoptosis properties, black seed oil exhibited an anti-aging effect in a model of aging induced with D-galactose.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9655-9660
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• 2014

Background: Nigella Sativa (NS) is an herb from the Ranunculaceae family that exhibits numerous medicinal properties and has been used as important constituent of many complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs). The ability of NS to kill cancer cells such as PC3, HeLa and hepatoma cells is well established. However, our understanding of the mode of death caused by NS remains nebulous. The objective of this study was to gain further insight into the mode and mechanism of death caused by NS in breast cancer MCF-7 cells. Materials and Methods: Human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) were treated with a methanolic extract of NS, and a dose- and time-dependent study was performed. The $IC_{50}$ was calculated using a Cell Titer $Blue^{(R)}$ viability assay assay, and evidence for DNA fragmentation was obtained by fluorescence microscopy TUNEL assay. Gene expression was also profiled for a number of apoptosis-related genes (Caspase-3, -8, -9 and p53 genes) through qPCR. Results: The $IC_{50}$ of MCF-7 cells was $62.8{\mu}L/mL$. When MCF-7 cells were exposed to $50{\mu}L/mL$ and $100{\mu}L/mL$ NS for 24h, 48h and 72h, microscopic examination (TUNEL assay) revealed a dose- and time-dependent increase in apoptosis. Similarly, the expression of the Caspase-3, -8, -9 and p53 genes increased significantly according to the dose and time. Conclusions: NS induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through both the p53 and caspase pathways. NS could potentially represent an alternative source of medicine for breast cancer therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.355-360
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• 2016

The insecticidal activities of the essential oils of Artemisia vulgaris, Achillea millefolium, Anethum graveolens, Cimicifuga heracleifolia, Citrus paradisi, Chrysanthemum indicum, Eucalyptus dives, Neroli bigard, Nigella sativa, and Ruta graveolens against stored-grain insects, Plodia interpunctella and Tribolium castaneum larvae and adults were evaluated using fumigant and contact bioassays. Based on the $LD_{50}$ values in fumigant bioassay, A. millefolium ($0.12{\mu}g/cm^3$) and A. graveolens ($93.14{\mu}g\;cm^{-3}$) oil were most effective against P. interpunctella and T. castaneum adults. In addition, N. bigard ($139.11{\mu}g\;cm^{-3}$) and A. graveolens ($52.87{\mu}g\;cm^{-3}$) oil exhibit strong insecticidal activities against P. interpunctella and Tribolium castaneum larvae in contact bioassay. These results indicate that A. millefolium, A. graveolens, N. bigard, and A. graveolens oils could be effective natural acaricides for managing stored-grain insects, P. interpunctella and T. castaneum.