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Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a change in brain function or evidence of brain pathology caused by external mechanical forces. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotropin that functions as a neuron protective. Nigella sativa L is reported to have an antioxidant effect, administration of Nigella Sativa L to rats treated with ischemia-reperfusion brain injury. Propofol is an anesthetic agent frequently used intravenously in the management of TBI. The effect of propofol on brain tissue after TBI may be neuroprotective. We aimed to compare the potential of Nigella sativa L and propofol as neuroplasticity and neuroprotection in rats with TBI. Methods This was a laboratory experimental animal model with the post-test only control group design, namely measuring the effect of treatment by comparing the five groups of rats consisting of 30 rats. BDNF levels in rat brain tissue were collected at day 7 of treatment and measured by ELISA. Results The average BDNF protein levels per group, namely G1 (221,243 pg/mL), G2 (172,139 pg/mL), G3 (255,483 pg/mL), G4 (227,089 pg/mL), and G5 (272,603 pg/mL) respectively. Based on the ANOVA statistic, p-value = 0.032 (there was a significant difference between groups), with the Levene Test (0.077) or having variance between the same groups, sequentially the difference in average BDNF protein levels of the five groups is G5>G3>G4>G1>G2, meaning that the combination of Nigella sativa and propofol has more potential to increase BDNF protein levels than Nigella sativa, and Nigella sativa has more potential than propofol. Conclusion We concluded that both nigella sativa and propofol have the potential to increase BDNF protein levels. Nigella Sativa L had a better effect than propofol in repairing damaged neuron cells (neuroplasticity) and increasing BDNF protein levels (neuroprotection) for 7 days of administration in rat traumatic brain injury.

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a change in brain function or evidence of brain pathology caused by external mechanical forces. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotropin that functions as a neuron protective. Nigella sativa L is reported to have an antioxidant effect, administration of Nigella Sativa L to rats treated with ischemia-reperfusion brain injury. Propofol is an anesthetic agent frequently used intravenously in the management of TBI. The effect of propofol on brain tissue after TBI may be neuroprotective. We aimed to compare the potential of Nigella sativa L and propofol as neuroplasticity and neuroprotection in rats with TBI. Methods This was a laboratory experimental animal model with the post-test only control group design, namely measuring the effect of treatment by comparing the five groups of rats consisting of 30 rats. BDNF levels in rat brain tissue were collected at day 7 of treatment and measured by ELISA. Results The average BDNF protein levels per group, namely G1 (221,243 pg/mL), G2 (172,139 pg/mL), G3 (255,483 pg/mL), G4 (227,089 pg/mL), and G5 (272,603 pg/mL) respectively. Based on the ANOVA statistic, p-value = 0.032 (there was a significant difference between groups), with the Levene Test (0.077) or having variance between the same groups, sequentially the difference in average BDNF protein levels of the five groups is G5>G3>G4>G1>G2, meaning that the combination of Nigella sativa and propofol has more potential to increase BDNF protein levels than Nigella sativa, and Nigella sativa has more potential than propofol. Conclusion We concluded that both nigella sativa and propofol have the potential to increase BDNF protein levels. Nigella Sativa L had a better effect than propofol in repairing damaged neuron cells (neuroplasticity) and increasing BDNF protein levels (neuroprotection) for 7 days of administration in rat traumatic brain injury.

The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SNPs) is the most economical, rapid, facile, and eco-friendly technique. In this study, pathogenic bacteria from human stool were identified, and the antibacterial potency of Nigella sativa L. seed extracts containing SNPs was assessed. The identification of the isolated pathogenic bacteria was achieved through the analysis of their 16 S rDNA sequences. The characterization of SNPs was done by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–VIS spectroscopy), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Six pathogenic bacteria were isolated from human stool and isolated bacteria were identified by 16 S rDNA sequencing analysis. SNPs were found in the size range of 30–60 nm and showed good antibacterial and antifungal activity. The maximum zone of inhibition was found against A. spanius at 32.0±0.8 nm. Achromobacter spanius, Pseudomonas geniculate, and Enterobacter asburiae WL115 were extremely sensitive to heated treated nanoparticles at 100 μg ml−1. In the current work, N. sativa L. was investigated because it produced SNPs effectively, may be used as a safe, affordable agent, and may have antibacterial and antifungal properties. The potential biological uses of SNPs will be encouraged by these discoveries, which will drive future research.

Objective: Hypothyroidism is characterized by insufficient production of thyroxine by the thyroid gland. Levothyroxine may not fully alleviate patients' symptoms. This study aimed to assess the impact of a herbal product on weight, body mass index (BMI), thyroid hormones, lipid profile, fasting blood sugar (FBS), depression, and quality-of-life scores in patients.Materials and Methods: 72 patients with primary hypothyroidism, aged between 20 and 65 years old, participated in the trial and they were randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention group received the herbal powder containing Trachyspermum ammi L., Nigella sativa L., and Citrus aurantifolia L. while the control group received Avicel for 8 weeks.Results: Treatment with the herbal product resulted in statistically significant reductions in anthropometric variables such as BMI (p=0.03), hip circumference (HC) (p=0.008), waist circumference (WC) (p

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a change in brain function or evidence of brain pathology caused by external mechanical forces. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotropin that functions as a neuron protective. Nigella sativa L is reported to have an antioxidant effect, administration of Nigella Sativa L to rats treated with ischemia-reperfusion brain injury. Propofol is an anesthetic agent frequently used intravenously in the management of TBI. The effect of propofol on brain tissue after TBI may be neuroprotective. We aimed to compare the potential of Nigella sativa L and propofol as neuroplasticity and neuroprotection in rats with TBI. Methods This was a laboratory experimental animal model with the post-test only control group design, namely measuring the effect of treatment by comparing the five groups of rats consisting of 30 rats. BDNF levels in rat brain tissue were collected at day 7 of treatment and measured by ELISA. Results The average BDNF protein levels per group, namely G1 (221,243 pg/mL), G2 (172,139 pg/mL), G3 (255,483 pg/mL), G4 (227,089 pg/mL), and G5 (272,603 pg/mL) respectively. Based on the ANOVA statistic, p-value = 0.032 (there was a significant difference between groups), with the Levene Test (0.077) or having variance between the same groups, sequentially the difference in average BDNF protein levels of the five groups is G5>G3>G4>G1>G2, meaning that the combination of Nigella sativa and propofol has more potential to increase BDNF protein levels than Nigella sativa, and Nigella sativa has more potential than propofol. Conclusion We concluded that both nigella sativa and propofol have the potential to increase BDNF protein levels. Nigella Sativa L had a better effect than propofol in repairing damaged neuron cells (neuroplasticity) and increasing BDNF protein levels (neuroprotection) for 7 days of administration in rat traumatic brain injury.

During two growing seasons, 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, a field study was carried out to investigate the impact of fertilization. (poultry manure at 0, 5, 10, and 15 m3/fed. plus half of the recommendations of NPK fertilizer) and bio-stimulants (mixed bacterial seed inoculation of Azotobacter chroococcum, Bacillus megatherium var. Phosphaticum, and Bacillus circulans alone or even in conjunction with a foliar spray of seaweed extract), When plants received 15 m3 / fed of poultry manure, the best results among all of the metrics were noted. For plants that were inoculated with bacteria alone or even in conjunction with a foliar spray of seaweed extract, all treatments were found to result in a significant increase in plant height, branch number, fresh and dry plant weight, capsule number, seed production, and fixed and volatile oil. The greatest results of the aforementioned attributes were obtained when the seeds were treated with a bacterial mixture and seaweed liquid extract as foliar spray. GC-MS analysis of volatile and fixed oils identified twenty-one the volatile oils' constituents. Generally, the most successful combination was applying the highest rate of poultry manure (15 m3 / fed), seed inoculation with mixed bacteria and application of seaweed extract to the leaf.

The biosorption potential of biowaste leftover from the fixed oil biorefinery process of Nigella sativa L. for the production of biofuel was first explored on the basis of concepts of bioeconomy and zero-waste to clean the impurity of synthetic dye from water environment in the current study. A triarylmethane-type synthetic dye called FD&C Green No 3 (E143, C.I. 42,053) as model compound was used to investigate the biosorption performance of biorefinery waste–based novel biosorbent. The main process parameters (biowaste amount (m), pH, FD&C Green No 3 concentration (Ci), and biosorption time (t)) optimization, kinetics, equilibrium, and thermodynamics batch-type experiments were done to clarify the nature of synthetic dye biosorption operation. The characterization and comparison studies were also made for the green waste as a biosorbent material. The optimum values of biosorption process variables studied were found to be Ci of 15 mg L−1, t of 360 min, m of 10 mg, and pH of 3. Referring to the results of statistical tests of coefficient of determination (R2), adjusted coefficient of determination (AdjR2), and root mean squared error (RMSE), it was seen that the experimental data of biosorption followed Elovich kinetics model (R2: 0.96, AdjR2: 0.96, and RMSE: 6.76 for 15 mg L−1) and Freundlich isotherm model (R2: 1.00, AdjR2: 1.00, and RMSE: 1.20). The thermodynamics data obtained showed that the process was physical, spontaneous, and energetically favorable. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy studies indicated that the biorefinery waste possessed an inhomogeneous surface morphology including many cavities and protuberances, and a rich functional group profile. Considering Langmuir biosorption capacity of biowaste (119.86 mg g−1), it exhibited higher purification performance than various sorbent materials reported in the literature. This pre-feasibility study indicated that the biorefinery waste of N. sativa L. could be utilized as promising biosorbent material to purify the synthetic dye impurity from aqueous environment, and the integration of biosorption with the processes of biorefinery and biofuel production could make all these operations more economically and environmentally sustainable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study was conducted during the seasons 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 to investigate the effect of the interaction between compost and biostimulants on growth measurements, seed yield, and oil production of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.). Four levels of fertilizer (0.6, 12, 18 tons/ha) were used. While the biostimulants were ascorbic acid (AS) at 100 ppm, yeast extract (YE) at 8 g/L, and AS at 100 ppm + 8 g/L YE. The plants were treated with these stimuli as follows: control (without addition), 100 ppm, YE at 8 g/L, and the results showed that fertilization at all levels, as well as foliar spraying with the used stimuli, led to a significant increase. Growth parameters, number of capsules, seed production, as well as fixed and volatile oil production, and plant treatment with organic fertilizers at a high level (18 tons). /ha) recorded the highest values for the trait under study. It was also shown that the foliar treatment at a concentration of 8 g/l YE was more effective in increasing the previously studied variables. All interactions were great. Most of the composite coefficients increased significantly for all the traits studied. Moreover, the application of manure at a high rate (18 t/ha) at a rate of 8 g/l YE was the best treatment. GC-MS analysis of the volatile and persistent oil showed that the main constituents of both species were also affected by the use of organic fertilizers and biotreatments. The combination of high-rate fertilizer (18 t/ha) plus AS at 100 ppm + 8 g/L YE improved main oil components compared to untreated plants.

Background and purpose: Traditionally, Nigella sativa L. has been known as a medical intervention to treat numerous diseases. This study aimed at investigating the antihyperalgesic effect of black seed oil (BSO) in an experimental model of neuropathic pain. Experimental approach: Chronic constriction injury (CCI) was performed under anesthesia. The sciatic nerve was ligated with four loose ties. Two separate protocols were used to administer BSO. In chronic treatment, rats were given daily doses of BSO (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg p.o.) from the 1st day until the 21st post-CCI day. While, in acute treatment, BSO (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg p.o.) was administered only on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days. CCI and sham groups were given almond oil according to the same schedule. Behavioral scores were determined by evaluation of the paw withdrawal in the plantar, Von Frey, and acetone tests, on the 7th, 14th, and 21st days. Findings/Results: Our results showed that CCI leads to significant allodynia and hyperalgesia in the ipsilateral paw after surgery. Chronic administration of BSO (500 and 1000 mg/kg) obviously attenuated heat hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia. However, daily administration of BSO did not alter cold allodynia. Nevertheless, when BSO was administered, 30 min before the pain assessment tests, hypersensitivity was not improved in the treated animals. Conclusion and implications: These results demonstrated BSO can inhibit neuropathic pain progression and suggests a potential use of BSO to manage hyperalgesia and allodynia. However, additional research is necessary to approve BSO effectiveness, in neuropathic pain conditions.

In order to study the effect of adding humic acid and agricultural sulfur on the Vegetative growth Characteristics of Black Seed (Nigella satilla L.). A field experiment was carried out in one of agricultural orchards in the Saadiya sub-district of Khanaqin district, Diyala governorate, which is located 50 km northeast of Baqubah, during the autumn season of the year 2020. The experiment included adding four concentrations of agricultural sulfur, 0, 800, 1600 and 2400 kg h-1 as the first factor and four concentrations of humic acid are 0, 2, 4 and 6 gm m-2 as a second factor. Thus, the number of treatments was 16 treatments and with three replications to become 48 experimental units. The experiment was carried out according to the randomized complete block design (RCBD). Seeds were sown locally in Soil with Clay loam textured. The results of the experiment showed the highest mean obtained were the number of leaves, the chlorophyll index, branches and flowers, which amounted to 535.3 leaves plant-1, 37.33 SPAD, 10.70 branches plant-1, 25.13 flowers plant-1, respectively, as this interaction of the two added factors achieved the best results compared to the control treatment, which recorded the lowest values which amounted to 248.2 leaves Plant-1, 17.30 SPAD, 4.37 branches plant-1, 10.27 flowers plant-1, respectively. As well as the characteristic of plant height, the mixture of 4 gm m-2 of humic acid and 2400 kg h-1 of agricultural sulfur fertilizer was superior, as it recorded 57.13 cm plant-1, compared to the control treatment, which recorded the lowest height 40.93 cm plant-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st centuries in modern medicine can be called the era of the second birth and large-scale phytochemical and pharmacological study of black seed (Nigella sativa L. ). Today, the experience of the famous doctor and encyclopedist Avicenna on the clinical use of herbal medicines, created on the basis of black seed, can be a boost for their safe use against many severe human diseases. Nigella sativa L. is considered to be an ancient medicinal preparation of Eastern medicine. In this review, we analyzed five books, «The Canon of Medical Science», some other medicinal treatises of Avicenna, as well as modern studies on therapeutic properties and practical applications of black seed. Collected information from various books of the scientist were subjected to pharmacological, phytochemical and biochemical screening.

This research work aims to investigate the anti-arthritic activity as well as the phytochemical screening of black cumin seed extracts (aqueous and hydroalcoholic) in vitro. The dosage of flavonoids has shown that the content found in the hydroalcoholic extract (134.7 ± 0.289 mg QE/g) was significantly higher compared to the aqueous extract (48.495 ± 0.035mg QE/g). The photochemical tests of the studied seed extracts showed the presence of tannins, saponins and reducing compounds and absence of alkaloids. The results of anti-arthritic activity, showed an important impact of the aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts inflammation inhibition. This research work revealed that the seed extracts exhibited an important anti-inflammatory effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the first phytochemical analysis on the seeds of Nigella sativa L. collected from a new population in Iran is reported. The study was carried out by means of classical column chromatography and spectroscopic techniques and evidenced the presence of twenty-six compound divided into six different classes of natural compounds. In particular, compounds (3–4) have been reported in the family for the first time. In addition to this, the first NMR semi-quantitative analysis on their most polar metabolites content was reported. The chemotaxonomic and pharmacological aspects of all the identified compounds were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This study was designed to determine the impact of soft cheese upon total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) and the efficacy of liver enzymes AST, ALT, and ALP in hyperlipidemia experimental Sprague-Dawley rats. Materials & Methodology: Rats were divided into five groups (six rats each), healthy control group, hyperlipidemia control group, and three hyperlipidemia groups were fed on regular soft cheese (T1), cheese supplementation with probiotics (T2), and cheese supported with Nigella sativa L (T3). Following 28 days, Result: the results revealed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in total cholesterol in groups of rats that were feeding on chees T1, T2 and T3 (179.83, 138.71 and 135.06 mg/ dl, respectively) compared to hyperlipidemia control group (250.98 mg/dl), T1, T2 and T3 groups showed a significant decrease in LDL levels (153.45, 104.39, 97.47 mg/dl respectively) compared to hyperlipidemia control groups (246 mg/dl). However, an increase of HDL levels were noticed in the same groups in contrast, T3 group revealed significantly decreased in the liver enzymes(28.45, 67.29, 98.16 IU/L) of ALT, AST and ALP respectively compared to hyperlipidemia control group (41.27, 88.35, 108.72)IU/L respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigella sativa L. is shown wide spread over the world and contains many useful phytochemicals. Much of the biological activity of the seeds has been shown due to the presence of thymoquinone (TQ). Its poor aqueous solubility of TQ hinders its delivery to target site. The aim of this work was to prepare TQ bigels composed of Carbopol 974 P NF (C974) in PEG 400 (organogel) or C974 in water (hydrogel) with microwave heating method. A novel technique, high speed homogenization followed by microwave heating, was used to prepare organogels. The pH, electrical conductivity, differential scanning calorimetry, rheological properties, and morphological structure of the formulations have been evaluated, and the effect of microwave on drug content and TQ antioxidant activity has been investigated. The bigels of TQ were successfully produced via high-speed homogenization followed by microwave-assisted heating for the first time in this study. Highly lipophilic TQ was successfully dissolved in organogel, and it was not affected from the microwaves. It can be stated that microwave heating is a promising method to obtain C974 organogels and thus bigels with appropriate above indicated investigated physicochemical characteristics. The time and energy consumption could be decreased with microwave-assisted heating, especially for gel preparation in the field of pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

zinc oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized using nigella sativa L. seed extract. Nigella sativa L. is an annual herbaceous plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. Concentration of plant extract plays a vital role in the synthesis of nanoparticles zinc oxide. Nanostructures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This experiment was conducted in Arak University in an experiment based on randomized complete block design with four replications. Each replication consisted of one fertilizer levels including 2 per thousand of Zn-nanoparticles in one stages of growth (8 or 12 leaves). During the experiment, the height of plant, number of branches was investigated. This study showed that using spraying had significant differences in the factors like plant height number of branches. Also, using all microelement treatments had significant effects to the level of 1%. In case of using spraying treatments, the best results for number of branches and height were related to 2.perthousand of Zn- nanoparticles and the least were related to control. This formulation can be used for increasing yield, enhancing the products and removing food deficiencies.

Kourosh Hasanzadeh Ghahramanloo,1 Behnam Kamalidehghan,2 Hamid Akbari Javar,3 Riyanto Teguh Widodo,1 Keivan Majidzadeh,4 Mohamed Ibrahim Noordin1 1Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; 2Medical Genetics Department, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), 3Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), 4Breast Cancer Research Center (BCRC) Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Tehran, Iran Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the oil extraction yield and essential oil composition of Indian and Iranian Nigella sativa L. extracted by using Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE) and solvent extraction methods. In this study, a gas chromatography equipped with a mass spectrophotometer detector was employed for qualitative analysis of the essential oil composition of Indian and Iranian N. sativa L. The results indicated that the main fatty acid composition identified in the essential oils extracted by using SFE and solvent extraction were linoleic acid (22.4%–61.85%) and oleic acid (1.64%–18.97%). Thymoquinone (0.72%–21.03%) was found to be the major volatile compound in the extracted N. sativa oil. It was observed that the oil extraction efficiency obtained from SFE was significantly (P

This study was conducted to examine the effect of cooking at different temperatures on the formation of Nε–(carboxymethyl) lysine (CML) after adding Paliurus spina-christi Mill. (PSC), Celtis tournefortii L. (CT) fruits, and Nigella Sativa L. (NS) seeds to the meatballs. Phytochemical and bioactivity properties were determined before adding PSC, CT fruits, and NS seeds to the meatballs. Then, PSC, CT fruits, and NS seeds were added to the meatballs at a rate of 2% and stored at 4 ± 1 °C for 16 days. CML, TBARS, pH, and a w analyses were performed on the meatballs. The highest phytochemical and bioactivity levels were detected in PSC fruit. The a w values detected in the meatball groups were found to be between 0.931 and 0.951 on the 0th day and between 0.963 and 0.985 on the 16th day, and the pH values ranged from 5.66 to 6.06 on the 0th day and from 6.10 to 6.74 on the 16th day. TBARS values of the meatballs were found to be between 1.17 and 1.98 on day 0 and 1.70–3.34 mg MDA/kg on day 16. CML levels in the meatballs were determined to be between 11.15 and 13.45 on day 0 and between 13.43 and 18.17 μg/g on day 16. The highest a* value was found in the meatballs with added CT fruit. It was determined that NS seeds had a negative effect on the a* value of the meatballs. In conclusion, adding PSC, CT fruits, and NS seeds can imbue meatballs with functional properties, thereby creating a more health-beneficial product for humans. [Display omitted] • First study in which PSC and CT fruits were added to foods • PSC and CT fruits and NS seed inhibited CML formation. • The amount of CML in meatballs increased in parallel with the cooking time. • The amount of CML increased in parallel with the increase in pH, aw, TBARS values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The incidence and prevalence of kidney stone is increasing worldwide. After the first recurrence the risk of subsequent relapses is higher and the time period between relapses is shortened. Urinary stones can be severely painful and make a huge economic burden. The stone disease may increase the vulnerability of patients to other diseases such as renal failure. Medicinal herbs are rich sources of antioxidants which are increasingly consumed globally for their safety, efficacy and low price. Nigella sativa is a spice plant that is widely used for prevention and treatment of many ailments in Muslim countries and worldwide. This review aims at investigation of the effects of Nigella sativa on renal injury and stone formation. Materials and Method: The scientific resources including PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar were searched using key words such as: nephrolithiasis, urolithiasis, kidney/renal stone, renal injury, renal failure, urinary retention and black seed, black cumin, Nigella sativa and thymoquinone. Results: N. sativa and its main component, thymoquinone showed positive effects in prevention or curing kidney stones and renal failure through various mechanism such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-eicosanoid and immunomodulatory effects. The putative candidate in many cases has been claimed to be thymoquinone but it seems that at least in part, particularly in kidney stones, the herbal melanin plays a role which requires further investigation to prove. Conclusion: N. sativa and its components are beneficial in prevention and curing of renal diseases including nephrolithiasis and renal damages.

Background and objectives: Dairy companies always try to increase the quantity and quality of milk production. According to the positive impact of different plants on milk production of cattle, this study was carried out to standardize a galactogogue herbal mixture based on its total phenol and flavonol contents and antioxidant activity. Methods: A mixture of Galega officinalis L. and Nigella sativa L. powders (4:1 w/w), which had shown milk stimulating activity on Holstein cows in a previous study, was extracted with hydro alcoholic solvent (80% aq. methanol) and its 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and total phenol and total flavonol contents were measured according to standard methods. Results: The inhibition concentration 50% (IC50 ) value of radical scavenging activity in DPPH test and the total phenol and total flavonol contents were found to be 154.29 µg/mL, 77.720±0.104 µg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) and 0.231±0.018 µg of quercetin equivalent (QE) per mg of dry extract, respectively. Conclusion: This herbal extract can be standardized based on its antioxidant activity or total phenol and total flavonol contents and the standardized extract can be formulated as a veterinary galactogogue supplement.

In the present study the protective effect of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) on synaptic plasticity impairment induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rats was investigated. Fifty-eight rats were grouped and treated as follows: 1) control (saline), 2) LPS, 3) LPS-N. sativa, and 4) N. sativa. In a Morris water maze test, the escape latency and traveled path to find the platform as well as time spent and the traveled distance in target quadrant (Q1) were measured. Long term potentiation (LTP) from CA1 area of hippocampus followed by high frequency stimulation to Schafer collateral was studied and slope, slope 10-90% and amplitude of field excitatory field potential (fEPSP) were calculated. The escape latency and traveled path in LPS group were significantly higher than those in the control group while, in LPS-N. sativa group these parameters were significantly lower than those in LPS group. The rats in LPS group spent less time and traveled shorter distance in Q1 than the rats in the control group while, in LPS-N. sativa group the rats spent more time and traveled longer distance than the rats in LPS group. LPS significantly decreased slope, slope 10-90% and amplitude of fEPSP while, in LPS-N. sativa group these parameters increased compared to LPS group. The results indicated that the hydro-alcohol extract of N. sativa protected against synaptic plasticity and spatial learning and memory impairment induced by LPS in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was focused on investigating the possible protective effect ofNigella sativaL. seed extract against cisplatin-induced delay in gastric emptying, in a rat model. Twenty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five equal groups as follows: Group I or control group, Group II (cisplatin 10 mg/kg, i.p at day 5), Group III (N. sativaL. 250 mg/kg for 5 days + cisplatin 10 mg/kg, i.p on day 5), Group IV (N. sativaL.500 mg/kg for 5 days + cisplatin 10 mg/kg, i.p on day 5) and Group V (ondansetron 3 mg/kg/day, per os + cisplatin 10 mg/kg, i.p on day 5). Phenol red meal was adopted to estimate gastric emptying in different groups of the rats. Gastric emptying was significantly increased (p < 0.01) inN. sativaL. seed extract-pretreated rats (Group III and Group IV) when compared to cisplatin treatment alone (Group II). However, ondansetron produced significantly (p < 0.01) better reversal thanN. sativaL. seed extract. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The water requirement of plants for the purposes of water resources management, water program planning, irrigation water use efficiency and to achieve the maximum yield is essential. Indiscriminate use of water and drought phenomenon in the recent years caused a serious problem for water resources management. Therefore, to determine the Nigella sativa L. water requirement a study was conducted in college of agriculture Research Farm in RaziUniversity in the city of Kermanshah during two years (2009-2010 and 2010-2011). During the investigation, the irrigation was determined by using of data logger equipment of IDRG SMS-T1. During the experiments, the soil humidity was determined in field capacity condition. The evapotranspiration was calculated using water balance equation. Finally, the Nigella sativa L. water requirement was detremined as 702.12 and 746.11mm for years 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 and average water requirement was determined as 724.11mm respectively.

ABSTRACT The effect of different doses of gamma rays on the fresh weight and some cell constituents of Black seed (Nigella sativa L.) stem callus was investigated. The results revealed an increase in the fresh weight with an increase in the cellular contents of protein and nucleic acid (DNA, RNA) extracted from radiated callus at doses 5,10, 30 and 50 rad, on the other hand, the high doses (70, 90 rad) led to death more than of 50% of initiating cells of callus. Shoots formation occurred on radiated callus, at dose 50 rad. In solid MS media, which are provided with 2,4–D(10-6 M). Verdure branches that occurred on radiated callus have been rooted by using MS free growth regulators. The plant developed on this medium can be readly transfered to the soil after harding.

ABSTRACT Callus induction occurred on stem segments of Nigella sativa L. seedlings grown on a modified Murashige and Skoog medium containing 10-6 M of 2, 4- dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2, 4 – D). Glutamine synthetase (EC 6. 3 . 1. 2) was isolated and partially purified from Nigella sativa L. callus the partially purified enzyme from the aqueous extract by ammonium sulfate precipitation, dialysis and gel filtration on sephadex G – 200 revealed that the activity increased by 37 fold. The molecular weight by gel – filtration chromatography was found to be around 50000 Da. The optimum conditions of the partially purified glutamine synthetase from callus were obtained by using Tris – HCl (80 mM) at pH 2.7 as a buffer and 10 mM of glutamate as substrate with incubation temperature 30° C. The Michaelis Menten constants for glutamate, adenosinetriphophate and ammonium chloride were 10 × 10-3M, 2 × 10-3 M and 0.280 × 10-3 M respectively.

Abstract The present study was conducted to determine the effects of gamma rays on specific activity of dihydrofolate reductase and folate content of Black seed (Nigella sativa L.) callus. The effect was dependent on doses of gamma rays. The obtained results showed that specific activity of dihydrofolate reductase increased with the growth period at doses 5, 10, 30 and 50 rad, the total folate content increased substantially, but the high doses of rays (70, 90 rad) led to decrease of dihydrofolate reductase activity and folate content extracted from callus of different ages. On the other hand, the results revealed that the exposed callus at 5 rad exhibited high level resistance to 10-1 M of aminpterin and trimethoprime. The specific activity of dihydrofolate reductase and total folate content were partly reserved as a result of radiation compared with non-radiated callus.

Black cumin samples obtained from the market have been irradiated under 2.5 kGy, 6 kGy, 8 kGy, and 10 kGy doses, respectively. Along with the increase in the dose of irradiation, both the free fatty acid and peroxide values of the samples increased, whereas oil contents, iodine numbers, refraction index and Rancimat values decreased. In the composition of fatty acids, while the percentages of unsaturated fatty acids decreased; trans fatty acid levels increased. Microbial count of the samples decreased as the dose of irradiation increased. It has been observed that total bacterial count as well as total count of yeast and mould reduced to the undetectable limit.

Black cumin orNigella sativaL. essential oil and seeds are used in folk medicine, as a bread or cheese flavoring and as a spice in various kinds of meals.Nigella sativaL. plants subjected to different levels of kinetin, control (0.0 mg L-1), 25, 50, and 75 mg L-1. The highest essential oil contents [0.4% and yield (2.7 ml 100 Plants-1)] were recorded at 75 mg L-1kinetin treatment. Sixteen components were identified in the essential oil of each treatment; p-cymene, α-thujene and γ-terpinene were detected as the major components which changed under different kinetin levels. Monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons increased with various treatments of kinetin compared with control treatment. Oxygenated monoterpenes increased towards 50 mg L-1kinetin treatment, and then decreased with 75 mg L-1kinetin treatments. Oxygenated sesquiterpenes increased with 50 mg L-1kinetin treatments while it was decreased with 25 and 75 mg L-1kinetin treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because there have been no previous reports on the use of screw presses for black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) seed oil extraction, the present study examined the effects of feed rate, temperature, and moisture content on the yield and thymoquinone content of mechanically extracted cold-pressed black cumin seed oil. The extraction parameters were optimized using a Box–Behnken design. Optimal conditions were identified by superimposing the response surfaces of oil yield and thymoquinone content. The thymoquinone content was stable under extraction conditions of 60 °C. Moisture played an important role in both oil yield and thymoquinone content. A maximum oil yield of 31.67 wt% ± 0.85 wt% was obtained at a feed rate of 45 g/min, temperature of 70 °C, and moisture content of 6 wt%. However, a low thymoquinone content of 5.14 ± 0.74 mg/mL was observed under these conditions. Furthermore, high thymoquinone content (∼12.00 mg/mL) reduced the oil yield to 10–13 wt%. The optimal conditions were found to be a feed rate of 50–54 g/min, moisture content of 15–18 wt%, and temperature of 55–60 °C, which gave a yield of 22 wt% oil and 10 mg/mL thymoquinone content. [Display omitted] • Effects of extraction parameters on yield and thymoquinone content were examined. • The extraction parameters were optimized using a Box–Behnken design. • Optimal conditions were identified by superimposing the response surfaces. • Moisture played an important role in both oil yield and thymoquinone content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The incidence and prevalence of kidney stone is increasing worldwide. After the first recurrence the risk of subsequent relapses is higher and the time period between relapses is shortened. Urinary stones can be severely painful and make a huge economic burden. The stone disease may increase the vulnerability of patients to other diseases such as renal failure. Medicinal herbs are rich sources of antioxidants which are increasingly consumed globally for their safety, efficacy and low price. Nigella sativa is a spice plant that is widely used for prevention and treatment of many ailments in Muslim countries and worldwide. This review aims at investigation of the effects of Nigella sativa on renal injury and stone formation. Materials and Methods: The scientific resources including PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar were searched using key words such as: nephrolithiasis, urolithiasis, kidney/renal stone, renal injury, renal failure, urinary retention and black seed, black cumin, Nigella sativa and thymoquinone. Results: N. sativa and its main component, thymoquinone showed positive effects in prevention or curing kidney stones and renal failure through various mechanism such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-eicosanoid and immunomodulatory effects. The putative candidate in many cases has been claimed to be thymoquinone but it seems that at least in part, particularly in kidney stones, the herbal melanin plays a role which requires further investigation to prove. Conclusion: N. sativa and its components are beneficial in prevention and curing of renal diseases including nephrolithiasis and renal damages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]