Nigella sativa L. seeds have been traditionally utilized in Chinese folk medicine for centuries to treat vitiligo. This study revealed that the ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa L. (HZC) enhances melanogenesis and mitigates oxidative stress-induced cellular senescence and dysfunction in melanocytes. In accordance with established protocols, the ethanol fraction from Nigella sativa L. seeds was extracted, concentrated, and lyophilized to evaluate its herbal effects via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays, tyrosinase activity evaluation, measurement of cellular melanin contents, scratch assays, senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot analysis for expression profiling of experimentally relevant proteins. The results indicated that HZC significantly enhanced tyrosinase activity and melanin content while notably increasing the protein expression levels of Tyr, Mitf, and gp100 in B16F10 cells. Furthermore, HZC effectively mitigated oxidative stress-induced cellular senescence, improved melanocyte condition, and rectified various functional impairments associated with melanocyte dysfunction. These findings suggest that HZC increases melanin synthesis in melanocytes through the activation of the MAPK, PKA, and Wnt signaling pathways. In addition, HZC attenuates oxidative damage induced by H₂O₂ therapy by activating the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) pathway and enhancing the activity of downstream antioxidant enzymes, thus preventing premature senescence and dysfunction in melanocytes.
Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Melanocytes/cytology* ; Cellular Senescence/drug effects* ; Nigella sativa/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Seeds/chemistry* ; Mice ; Animals ; Melanins/metabolism* ; Monophenol Monooxygenase/metabolism* ; Humans

COVID-19 virus is a causative agent of viral pandemic in human beings which specifically targets respiratory system of humans and causes viral pneumonia. This unusual viral pneumonia is rapidly spreading to all parts of the world, currently affecting about 105 million people with 2.3 million deaths. Current review described history, genomic characteristics, replication, and pathogenesis of COVID-19 with special emphasis on Nigella sativum (N. sativum) as a treatment option. N. sativum seeds are historically and religiously used over the centuries, both for prevention and treatment of different diseases. This review summarizes the potential role of N. sativum seeds against COVID-19 infection at levels of in silico, cell lines and animal models.
Animals ; COVID-19 ; Humans ; Nigella ; Pandemics ; Pathology, Molecular ; SARS-CoV-2

Nigella sativa (N. sativa) is one of important herbal foods in traditional medicine and many studies have conducted to show the effects of this plant on several diseases. The goal of this study was the evaluation of effects of bread with N. Sativa on clinical parameters such as blood glucose, blood pressure (BP) and anthropometry indices in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MetS). A study as double-blind, cross-over, randomized clinical trial was performed in 51 MetS patients in Chalus, north region of Iran. After dividing of patients randomly in 2 groups, in phase 1, intervention group (A, n = 27) used daily a bread with N. sativa and control group (B, n = 24) used the same bread but without N. sativa for 2 months. After considering of 15 day wash out period, phase 2 was began with changing of position of 2 groups. Measuring of parameters including fasting blood glucose (FBG), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC) was done before and after of 2 phases. After evaluation of treatment, sequence and time effects of intervention on parameters, it is shown that consumption of this bread has not significant treatment effect (as main effect) on FBG, SBP, DBP, WC, weight, and BMI (p > 0.05). Sequence effect on FBG, weight, WC, and BMI was significant (p < 0.05), but was not on BP. Time effect was only significant for DBP. Consumption of bread with N. sativa in MetS patients has not significant effect on FBG, BP, weight, WC, and BMI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Identifier: IRCT2015041821815N1
Anthropometry ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Bread ; Fasting ; Humans ; Iran ; Medicine, Traditional ; Nigella sativa ; Nigella ; Plants ; Waist Circumference

The seeds of Nigella sativa Linn. (Ranunculaceae), commonly known as Black cumin, are predominantly used as carminative, antispasmodic, and stimulant. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of N. sativa seed extract on the permeation of co-infused amoxicillin across the gut wall. The methanolic extract of N. sativa improved intestinal permeability of amoxicillin in in-vitro experiments in a dose-dependent manner. Two new glycosides, decanyl nigelloic acid diglucoside [n-decanyl-3-aldehydic-4-methoxy-5-hydroxy benzoate-5-β-D-glucofuranosyl (2→1)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(2→1)-β-D-glucopyranoside]] and nigelabdienoyl triglucoside [homo-labd-5, 9(11)-dien-16-onyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl (2→1)-β-D-glucopyranosyl (2→1)-β-D-glucopyranoside], along with seven known fatty acid glycerides/esters, were isolated from the gut permeation enhancing extract. The structures of these new glycosides were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analyses.
Amoxicillin ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacokinetics ; Intestine, Small ; metabolism ; Male ; Molecular Structure ; Nigella sativa ; chemistry ; Phytochemicals ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Seeds ; chemistry

Nigella sativa (N.sativa) has been used in traditional medicine and many studies have been performed in different communities in order to reveal the effects of it on medical disorders and chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bread with N. Sativa on lipid profiles, apolipoproteins, and inflammatory factors in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients. A randomized, double-blind, cross-over and clinical trial was conducted in 51 MetS patients of both sexes with age group of 20-65 years old in Chaloos, north of Iran. Patients were randomly divided in two groups. In phase 1, intervention group (A, n = 27) received daily a bread with N. sativa and wheat bran and control group (B, n = 24) received the same bread without N. sativa for 2 months. After 2 weeks of wash out period, phase 2 was started with switch the intervention between two groups. Measuring of lipid profiles, apolipoproteins and inflammatory factor was performed for all patients before and after two phases. In this study, treatment, sequence and time effects of intervention were evaluated and revealed that consumption of bread with N. sativa has no significant treatment and time effects on triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHOL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), apolipoprotein (APO)-A, APO-B and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p > 0.05). Sequence effect was significant on CHOL, LDL, APO-A, and APO-B (p < 0.05) but was not significant on other parameters (p > 0.05). Consumption of bread with N. sativa has no a significant effect on lipid profiles, apolipoproteins and inflammatory factor in MetS patients.
Apolipoproteins A ; Apolipoproteins B ; Apolipoproteins* ; Bread* ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cholesterol ; Chronic Disease ; Dietary Fiber ; Humans ; Iran ; Lipoproteins ; Medicine, Traditional ; Nigella sativa* ; Nigella* ; Triglycerides

Thymoquinone (TQ), an active component derived from the medial plant Nigella sativa, has been used for medical purposes for more than 2 000 years. Recent studies have reported that TQ blocked angiogenesis in animal model and reduced migration, adhesion, and invasion of glioblastoma cells. We have recently shown that TQ could exhibit a potent cytotoxic effect and induce apoptosis in mouse neuroblastoma (Neuro-2a) cells. In the present study, TQ treatment markedly decreased the adhesion and migration of Neuro-2a cells. TQ down-regulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 protein expression and mRNA levels and their activities. Furthermore, TQ significantly down-regulated the protein expression of transcription factor NF-κB (p65) but not significantly altered the expression of N-Myc. Taken together, our data indicated that TQ's inhibitory effect on the migration of Neuro-2a cells was mediated through the suppression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression, suggesting that TQ treatment can be a promising therapeutic strategy for human malignant neuroblastoma.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzoquinones ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; Neuroblastoma ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; physiopathology ; Nigella sativa ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology

Black seed (Nigella sativa) is an annual flowering plant from Ranunculaceae family, native to southwest Asia. This plant has many food and medicinal uses. The use of its seeds and oil is common for treatment of many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, inflammatory diseases, diabetes and digestive diseases. The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive review on the scientific reports that have been published about N. sativa. The facts and statistics presented in this review article were gathered from the journals accessible in creditable databases such as Science Direct, Medline, PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, EMBASE, SID and IranMedex. The keywords searched in Persian and English books on medicinal plants and traditional medicine, as well as the above reputable databases were "Black seed", "Nigella sativa", "therapeutic effect", and "medicinal plant". The results showed that N. sativa has many biological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, and wound healing activities. It also has effects on reproductive, digestive, immune and central nervous systems, such as anticonvulsant and analgesic activities. In summary, it can be used as a valuable plant for production of new drugs for treatment of many diseases.
Animals ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Molecular Structure ; Nigella sativa ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Seeds ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of Nigella sativa (NS) extract on memory performance and its possible mechanisms in scopolamine (Sco)-induced spatial memory impairment model using Morris water maze test.

METHODSThirty-two male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. The control group received saline instead of both NS extract and Sco. The Sco group was treated by saline for two weeks, and was injected by Sco (2 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) 30 min before each trail in Morris water maze test. Sco+NS 200 and Sco+NS 400 groups were daily treated by 200 or 400 mg/kg of NS (intraperitoneally) for two weeks, respectively, and were finally injected by Sco 30 min before Morris water maze test. The brains of animals were removed to determine the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and oxidative stress criteria in cortical tissues.

RESULTSTime latency and path length in the Sco group were significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01), while the Sco+NS 400 group showed a significantly shorter traveled path length and time latency compared with the Sco group (P<0.01). AChE activity in the cortical tissues of the Sco group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01), while AChE activity in the Sco+NS 200 and Sco+NS 400 groups was lower than the Sco group (P<0.01). Following Sco administration, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were increased (P<0.01) in comparison with the control group, while cortical total thiol content decreased (P<0.01). Pretreatment with extracts caused a significant elevation in cortical total thiol content (P<0.01) and reduction in cortical MDA concentration (P<0.01) compared with the Sco group.

CONCLUSIONSHydro-alcoholic extract of NS prevents Sco-induced spatial memory deficits and decreases the AChE activity as well as oxidative stress of brain tissues in rats. Our results support the traditional belief about the beneficial effects of NS in nervous system. Moreover, further investigations are needed for better understanding of this protective effect.

Acetylcholinesterase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory Disorders ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Nigella sativa ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats, Wistar ; Reaction Time ; drug effects ; Scopolamine Hydrobromide ; Spatial Memory ; drug effects ; Sulfhydryl Compounds ; metabolism ; Water ; chemistry

Acute Kidney Injury ; etiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Nigella sativa ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; toxicity

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.
Animals ; Anthelmintics/isolation & purification/*pharmacology ; Benzoquinones/isolation & purification/*pharmacology ; Biological Assay ; Echinococcosis/parasitology/veterinary ; Echinococcus granulosus/*drug effects/isolation & purification ; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Nigella sativa/*chemistry ; Oils, Volatile/chemistry/isolation & purification/*pharmacology ; Seeds/chemistry ; Sheep ; Sheep Diseases/parasitology ; Survival Analysis ; Time Factors