Comparison of antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of plant extracts from three varieties of nigella seeds

Abstract

Black cumin (Nigella sativa) is a plant that has been used in folk medicine for centuries for its therapeutic properties. The object of much research in terms of fighting cancer, showing very high therapeutic potential in this regard. Black cumin has been the subject of
much research in terms of fighting cancer, showing very high therapeutic potential in this regard. The plant has closely related species in the Nigella genus, which may prove to be as rich a source of therapeutic ingredients as N. sativa. In this study, N. sativa, N. damascene and N. orientalis species were compared in terms of antioxidant properties by DPPH, total flavonoid content and phenolic compounds. In addition, N. sativa, N. damascene and N. orientalis seed extracts were tested for cytotoxicity against human keratinocyte skin cells (HaCaT). An Alamar Blue assay was used to assess the degree of cell viability after exposure to different concentrations of extracts from the tested plants. The significant antioxidant properties were demonstrated by 1% N. orientalis seed extract, while considering all concentrations used for the test, the most promising properties were found in N. damascena, which also showed the highest values for total flavonoids and phenolic compounds content.