A randomised controlled trial on hypolipidemic effects of Nigella Sativa seeds powder in menopausal women.

BACKGROUND: The risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is increased tremendously among menopausal women, and there is an increasing demand for alternative therapies for managing factors like dyslipidemia that contribute to CVD development. METHODS: In this study, Nigella sativa was evaluated for its hypolipidemic effects among menopausal women. In a randomised trial, hyperlipidemic menopausal women were assigned to treatment (n=19) or placebo groups (n=18), and given N. sativa or placebo for two months after their informed consents were sought. At baseline, blood samples were taken and at one month intervals thereafter until one month after the end of the study. RESULTS: The results showed that N. sativa significantly improved lipid profiles of menopausal women (decreased total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride, and increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol) more than the placebo treatment over 2 months of intervention. One month after cessation of treatment, the lipid profiles in the N. sativa-treated group tended to change towards the pretreatment levels. CONCLUSIONS: N. sativa is thought to have multiple mechanisms of action and is cost-effective. Therefore, it could be used by menopausal women to remedy hypercholesterolemia, with likely more benefits than with single pharmacological agents that may cause side effects. The use of N. sativa as an alternative therapy for hypercholesterolemia could have profound impact on the management of CVD among menopausal women especially in countries where it is readily available.

The investment in scent: time-resolved metabolic processes in developing volatile-producing Nigella sativa L. seeds.

The interplay of processes in central and specialized metabolisms during seed development of Nigella sativa L. was studied by using a high-throughput metabolomics technology and network-based analysis. Two major metabolic shifts were identified during seed development: the first was characterized by the accumulation of storage lipids (estimated as total fatty acids) and N-compounds, and the second by the biosynthesis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and a 30% average decrease in total fatty acids. Network-based analysis identified coordinated metabolic processes during development and demonstrated the presence of five network communities. Enrichment analysis indicated that different compound classes, such as sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids, are largely separated and over-represented in certain communities. One community displayed several terpenoids and the central metabolites, shikimate derived amino acids, raffinose, xylitol and glycerol-3-phosphate. The latter are related to precursors of the mevalonate-independent pathway for VOC production in the plastid; also plastidial fatty acid 18∶3n-3 abundant in "green" seeds grouped with several major terpenes. The findings highlight the interplay between the components of central metabolism and the VOCs. The developmental regulation of Nigella seed metabolism during seed maturation suggests a substantial re-allocation of carbon from the breakdown of fatty acids and from N-compounds, probably towards the biosynthesis of VOCs.

Anti-inflammatory effect of seeds and callus of Nigella sativa L. extracts on mix glial cells with regard to their thymoquinone content.

Anti-inflammatory effect of the alcoholic extracts of N. sativa seeds and its callus on mix glial cells of rat with regard to their thymoquinone (TQ) content was investigated. Callus induction was achieved for explants of young leaf, stem, petiole, and root of N. sativa on solid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 2,4-D (1 mg/l) and kinetin (2.15 mg/l). TQ content of the alcoholic extracts was measured by HPLC. Total phenols were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method and antioxidant power was estimated using FRAP tests. The mix glial cells, inflamed by lipopolysaccharide, were subjected to anti-inflammatory studies in the presence of various amounts of TQ and the alcoholic extracts. Viability of the cells and nitric oxide production were measured by MTT and Griess reagent, respectively. The leaf callus obtained the highest growth rate (115.4 mg/day) on MS medium containing 2,4-D (0.22 mg/l) and kinetin (2.15 mg/l). Analyses confirmed that TQ content of the callus of leaf was 12 times higher than that measured in the seeds extract. However, it decreased as the calli aged. Decrease in the TQ content of the callus was accompanied with an increase in its phenolic content and antioxidant ability. Studies on the inflamed rat mix glial cells revealed significant reduction in the nitric oxide production in the presence of 0.2 to 1.6 mg/ml of callus extract and 1.25 to 20 µl/ml of the seed extracts. However, the extent of the effects is modified assumingly due to the presence of the other existing substances in the extracts.

Biosynthesis of controllable size and shape gold nanoparticles by black seed (Nigella sativa) extract.

We report on the use of black seed (Nigella sativa) extract, previously not exploited, in synthesis of gold nanoparticles. On treating aqueous chloroauric acid solution with black seed extract, the antioxidant activities critical roles of the various phytochemicals is observed leading to the formation of crystalline and poly shaped gold nanoparticles. In this research work, we developed a rapid and non-toxic method for the preparation of biocompatible gold nanoparticles by two different synthetic routes: microwave irradiation and thermo-induced procedures. The nanoparticles were characterized and investigated by ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD).The size and shape of the nanoparticles were found to be very sensitive to the quantity of the extract. As the amount of extract is increased, the stronger the interaction between the extract biomolecules and nascent nanoparticles, thus the yield of nanoparticles increased as shown by surface plasmon resonance bands in the UV-vis-NIR spectra. The reaction temperature has a significant role in production of gold nanoparticles with different shapes. The XRD studies reflect an interesting feature indicates that gold nanocrystals are highly anisotropic in nature, mainly triangular and hexagonal shapes, and that the particles are (111) oriented. The observed characteristics suggest the application of the biocompatible gold nanoparticles to future in vivo imaging and therapy.

Biological activity of seed aqueous extract of Nigella sativa (L.) on germination and seedling growth of Vigna radiata (L.).

Seeds aqueous extract of Nigella sativa were evaluated for their effect on germination and seedling growth of Vigna radiata. Two different methods were used to prepare the seed aqueous extract. The aqueous extracts prepared were found to affect germination percentage and seedling growth of V. radiata. The germination percentage and seedling growth of V. radiata decreased as the concentration of the seeds aqueous extracts of N. sativa increased. Severe toxicity was observed at high concentrations and moderate toxicity at low concentrations in comparison with water control. Seeds aqueous extract significantly inhibited root length more than shoot. The aqueous dried powdered extract soaked for 4 days with or without boiling had inhibitory effect on germination and seedling growth of V. radiata, but method 2 (with boiling) was the most effective one specially on root length.