Phytochemical and biological investigation of the extracts of Nigella sativa L. seed waste

Abstract

Different extracts of Nigella sativa L. seed waste; aqueous (AE) 200 mg/kg, ethanol 70% (EE) 250 mg/kg and hexane (HE) 10 mg/kg, were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activities. They were administered orally, once daily, for 5 consecutive days. On day 5, liver injury was induced in animals by a single i.p. injection of carbon tetrachloride (10 mg/kg b. w. of 0.25% (v/v). Hepatoxicity produced, was evaluated by both biochemical and histopathological investigations. The aqueous extract attenuated the CCl(4) -induced liver damage likely due to the decrease of proinflammatory cytokines and T-cell proliferation. This was noticed by a significant decrease in both serum and tissue cytokines; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (INF-γ) and interlukin-beta (IL-1β), in the markers of liver functions; bilirubin and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and in the oxidative stress markers; malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione content (GSH). Fractionation of this extract was performed and its component, protein, saponin, and polyphenol fractions were evaluated by appropriate analytical procedures. The crude protein of the seed waste reached 36.85% while protein fingerprint showed four bands ranging from 91.97 KD and 29.00 KD. The saponin content was evaluated through the determination of the haemolytic index and reached 15.56 mg/g dry powder. Finally, Folin Ciocalteu method was used for the determination of the total polyphenols. The same biochemical and histopathological studies were again performed on the different fractions of the aqueous extract; protein fraction (PF) 10 mg/kg, saponin fraction (SF) 5 mg/kg and polyphenol fraction (FF) 10 mg/kg. The biochemical changes were improved only by the protein fraction (PF) of the seed waste of Nigella sativa. This was manifested by a significant reduction in both serum and tissue cytokines in the liver markers and in the oxidative stress markers. Moreover, liver histopathology showed that (PF) reduced the incidence of liver lesions including hepatic cells cloudy swelling, lymphocytes infiltration, hepatic necrosis and fibrous connective tissue proliferation induced by CCl(4) in mice. From this study, it is concluded that the protein fraction of the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seed waste exhibited a promising hepatoprotective effect in the management of different liver disorders.

In vivo attenuation of angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma by Nigella sativa

“…injection of normal saline (2.5 mL/kg) on day 3. Animals in Group 2 (NSEE group) were given, orally by gavage, NSEE at 250 mg/kg (in normal saline of a total volume of 0.5 mL) daily for 5 successive days (33). Rats of Group 3 (DENA group) were given, for 5 successive days, the same dose of normal saline and a single dose of DENA (Sigma Chemical Company, St Louis, MO, USA) at 200 mg/2.5 mL per kilogram of body weight in saline, i.p.…”

The positive effect of black cumin ethanol extract (Nigella sativa) on decreasing serum TNF-α levels and interleukin-8 levels in mice model of preeclampsia

“…Nigella sativa has the main active ingredient, thymoquinone has the ability to inhibit proinflammatory cytokines such as TNFα, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, NF-kβ [17][18][19]. Thymoquinone works as an inflammatory inhibitor that works through the pathway as an anti-inflammatory and proapoptotic.…”

“…The results of chemical analysis of black cumin oil showed that the fixed oil content of line oleic acid, oleic acid, eicosanoat acid, palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, myristic acid, sterols, and volatile oil showed the main active ingredient, thymoquinone (2-isopropyl-5-methylbenzoquinone) proved to have anti-inflammatory activity [16]. The main components of black cumin seeds, thymoquinone, have the ability to inhibit pro inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, interleukin-1, interleukin-6, NF-kB (nuclear factorkappa B) [17][18][19]. Thymoquinone works as an inflammatory inhibitor that works through the pathway as an antiinflammatory.…”

Comparative evaluation of chemical profiles of three representative 'snow lotus' herbs by UPLC‐DAD‐QTOF‐MS combined with principal component and hierarchical cluster analyses

“…[7] Some snow lotus healthcare products are even adulterated with other herbs, causing an inevitable concern to public health. [14][15][16] The more we looked into the three medicinal sources, the more we were convinced of the need for an in-depth investigation of the chemical constituents of such raw herbal products as the basis for extending their medical applications [17][18][19] as well as preventing falsification of the products on the market. [8][9][10] Some studies have authenticated different botanical origins of snow lotus medicines by observing macroscopic and microscopic features; [7,11,12] others have preliminarily analyzed chemical components and compared their pharmacological effects.…”

“…[5,13] We have also reviewed the literature on the three representative snow lotus herbs with regard to their botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology, aiming to distinguish the three species from a comprehensive perspective. [14][15][16] The more we looked into the three medicinal sources, the more we were convinced of the need for an in-depth investigation of the chemical constituents of such raw herbal products as the basis for extending their medical applications [17][18][19] as well as preventing falsification of the products on the market. [20] This paper is our attempt to meet this need.…”