RESUMO
The aim of this research is to study the genotoxic effects of Nigella sativa extracts [if any] in the lab animals and to test their capabilities as an antimutagens. Aquatic and ethanolic extracts were prepared from N. sativa seeds. Different doses [50, 100, 150, 200 mg/kg] of their extracts were given orally to mice for 7 days to check their genotoxic activity by using mitotic index chromosomal aberrations in bone marrow cells and micronuclei formation as well as sperm head abnormalities. There was a significant reduction in spontaneous as well as MTX-induced chromosomal aberrations and micronuclei frequencies of bone marrow cells as an influence of N. sativa extracts-treatments. Significant increase in cellular division was also observed. Furthermore, significant protection of sperms from MTX-effects was achieved by using N. sativa extracts. The ethanolic extracts were more effective than aquatic extract in its suppression to MTX genotoxic effects. These results indicated the potency of N. sativa seeds in protection against genotoxic effects of carcinogens