Nigella sativa Extract as a Potent Antioxidant for Petrochemical-Induced Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Various beneficial properties has been attributed to Nigella sativa, including its antioxidant potential. Previously, it was reported that supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) could be used to obtain N. sativa extract rich in antioxidants. In the present study, N. sativa extracts prepared using the previously optimized SFE as well as the traditional Soxhlet extraction approaches were analyzed for various known antioxidants. N. sativa extracts were found to prevent protein carbonyl formation as well as depletion of intracellular glutathione (GSH) in fibroblasts exposed to toluene. Furthermore, partially purified SFE and Soxhlet fractions could prevent loss of hepatic GSH in toluene-induced oxidative stressed Wistar rats as well as in L929 fibroblasts. The results showed that SFE-produced N. sativa extract is richer in antioxidants than the Soxhlet approach. It was also shown using preparative silica gel and reverse phase chromatography that different fractions of SFE-extracted or Soxhlet-extracted N. sativa had different levels of protective effects with regards to GSH depletion in vivo as well as in cell culture. Although fractions rich in thymoquinone were found to be most potent in terms of antioxidant capacity, the data indicates that the protective effects of N. sativa may not only be due to thymoquinone, but perhaps other antioxidants.

<b><i>Nigella Sativa</i></b> Reduces Tissue Damage in Rat Ovaries Subjected to Torsion and Detorsion: Oxidative Stress, Proinflammatory Response and Histopathological Evaluation

“…The seeds contain alkaloids and glycoside flavonols such as quercetin, kaempferol, and quercetin-3 [32]. Recently, clinical and animal studies have shown that an extract of NS has many therapeutic effects, including antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anticancer, multiple myeloma, antibacterial, estrogenic, and antioxidant activity [32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39]. Experimental studies have also revealed that thymoquinone has protective effects against I/R injury in the intestine [40], liver [41], kidney [42], and testicular torsion [43].…”

Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Effect of Thymoquinone in an Acute <b><i>Pseudomonas</i></b> Prostatitis Rat Model

“…We suggest that the decrease in GPX activity might be due to partial inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the consequent decrease in the reduction of H 2 O 2 . TQ has been proven to possess a potent antioxidant effect in terms of scavenging properties on free radicals such as superoxide anion [8,9,10,15,38]. A number of studies have demonstrated beneficial effects of various antioxidants and their free radical scavenging property in prostatitis [38,39,40,41].…”

“…The seeds of N. sativa have long been used in the Middle and Far East as a traditional medicine for a wide range of illnesses. TQ is a bioflavonoid with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antiallergenic, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anticarcinogenic properties [8,9,10]. TQ may have a protective effect against inflammation, membrane lipid peroxidation, and infection-induced prostate toxicity.…”

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of thymoquinone on ceruleine induced acute pancreatitis in rats

“…In recent years, many studies have revealed the benefi ts of extraction used in a spectrum from infectious diseases to cardiovascular system diseases (8,9). The studies relevant to pharmacological properties of TQ have suggested that antioxidant and antiinfl ammatory effects can be effective but research on the subject has not been suffi ciently illuminated (10). In this study, oxidative and anti-infl ammatory activities of TQ were investigated under infl ammatory condition by intraperitoneal administration of TQ.…”