Nigella sativa L. seed extracts promote wound healing progress by activating VEGF and PDGF signaling pathways: An in vitro and in silico study

Abstract

Background: A significant area of clinical research is the development of natural wound healing products and the management of chronic wounds. Healing wounds with medicinal plants has been a practice of ancient civilizations for centuries. Nigella sativa L (N. sativa) is a medicinal plant that has several pharmacological properties. Methods: The present study evaluated the wound healing properties of Nigella sativa L. (N. sativa) seed extracts using normal cell lines such as normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDFs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) were analyzed through western blot analysis. Furthermore, computational analyses were carried out to screen the potential bioactive compounds for wound healing applications. Results: The results of the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay revealed that, all the tested solvent extracts of N. sativa seeds (including ethanol, ethyl acetate, chloroform, and petroleum ether) did not exert any cytotoxic effects at the tested concentrations. Furthermore, the western blot analysis showed elevated levels of VEGF and PDGF upon treatment with N. sativa seed extracts. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of N. sativa extracts identified 268 phytocompounds. Molecular docking studies revealed that three phytocompounds of N. sativa extracts, including tricyclo[20.8.0.0(7,16)]triacontane, 1(22),7(16)-diepoxy-, adaphostin and obeticholic acid had strong binding affinity with wound healing-related target proteins, showing docking scores ranging from -5.5 to -10.9 Kcal/mol. These compounds had acceptable Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) properties. Conclusions: Based on these results, N. sativa seed extracts might possess potential wound healing properties owing to the presence of a wide range of bioactive components.

Identification of Phytochemical Inhibitors Targeting VEGFA and TGFBR2 of Cervical Cancer: Insights from Virtual Screening, ADMET and DFT Studies

“…Some studies also reported that oleanolic acid, Panaxadiol, Ursolic acid, Withaferin A, Hecogenin were potential against GFRs [32] . In addition phytochemicals like Tricyclo (20.8.0.0 (7,16) triacontane, 1 (22), 7(16)‐diepoxy‐ (543764), Adaphostin, Obeticholic acid, Methylphenidate, HFB, Hypophyllanthin, Vitamin E, Clonitazene, Humulane‐1,6‐dien‐3‐ol from Nigella sativa L. seed extract [33] . Some studies also find that 1‐Penten‐3‐ol, Ethyl benzoate, Methanol, α Cubenene, α Guinea, β Bourbonene, β‐Cubebene, Eucalyptol were potential inhibitors against VEGFR [34] .…”

“…[32] In addition phytochemicals like Tricyclo (20.8.0.0 (7,16) triacontane, 1 (22), 7(16)-diepoxy-(543764), Adaphostin, Obeticholic acid, Methylphenidate, HFB, Hypophyllanthin, Vitamin E, Clonitazene, Humulane-1,6-dien-3-ol from Nigella sativa L. seed extract. [33] Some studies also find that 1-Penten-3-ol, Ethyl benzoate, Methanol, α Cubenene, α Guinea, β Bourbonene, β-Cubebene, Eucalyptol were potential inhibitors against VEGFR. [34] It is also reported that Sesamin, Fargesin, Longamide, Piperlonguminine, Eriodictyol, Epicatechin, Scutellarin, Tetrandrine, Basic acid and Ginkgolide were potential inhibitors for VEGF.…”